Matt Fitzpatrick disclosed that his caddie echoed the motivational phrasing once used by Rory McIlroy’s own caddie during the Irishman’s 2025 Grand Slam win, and that the familiar encouragement helped spark Fitzpatrick’s dramatic playoff victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. During the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links, Fitzpatrick allowed a comfortable four‑stroke cushion to evaporate.
A bogey on the 18th hole dropped his score to one‑under 70, forcing a sudden‑death showdown with world number one Scottie Scheffler. On the first extra hole, Fitzpatrick unleashed a precise approach shot that landed within twelve feet of the pin.
He then holed the ensuing birdie putt, sealing his fourth PGA Tour title and his second win in as many starts. The scenario mirrored McIlroy’s own experience at Augusta last April, when the Northern Irish star stumbled on the final day but rallied in a playoff against Justin Rose to complete the career Grand Slam. Fitzpatrick said his caddie, Daniel Parratt, offered him the same kind of reassurance that McIlroy received from his longtime caddie Harry Diamond during that Masters triumph.
"He actually said, ‘Getting to the tee, we’d have taken this start of the week,’" Fitzpatrick recalled after his win. "I knew Rory had said something similar the week before. I joked with Dan, ‘Oh, there’s Harry Diamond now.’ We had a good laugh, but I felt confident and the four‑iron I hit was just out of this world." Fitzpatrick entered the final day holding a three‑stroke lead and was briefly four ahead.
However, a late stumble—combined with two consecutive birdies from Scheffler—erased the margin and sent the tournament into its fifth playoff in five years. "It was a lot of grit," Fitzpatrick said of his comeback.
"I started strong, then had a poor three‑putt on the second hole and thought about what could have been. I would have taken the lead before I teed off again, but I knew Scottie was going to make birdies down the stretch, so I just had to hang on." He added that the RBC Heritage held a special place in his heart. "Growing up, this tournament meant more to me than any major before I truly understood the game. Winning it twice would be huge.
To go toe‑to‑toe with Scottie on the 73rd hole and come out on top is something special." Fitzpatrick also took a light‑hearted swipe at American Ryder Cup fans, who were vocally supporting Scheffler during the playoff. After sealing the win, he cupped his hand to his ear at the 18th‑green gallery, acknowledging the cheering crowd.
When asked whether the American chants seemed odd, he replied, "No, Americans are incredibly patriotic and that was amazing. The only issue is they have short memories because we won in October." Despite the joke, Fitzpatrick praised the atmosphere.
"The crowd never got out of hand—no one shouted during backswing—so it was great. I love the fans; they’re backing Scottie, which is fine. Golf needs atmosphere.
I grew up watching football, and now I’m paid a lot to play in front of these crowds. Hearing them chant every week is a fantastic feeling.
But there’s no better feeling than winning against your biggest rival with that energy behind you. It never crossed the line; it was just loud, and that loudness helped me.” Scheffler, for his part, expressed gratitude toward the spectators. "It’s nice to get support from the crowd.
They were courteous, cheering for me without trying to silence Fitzpatrick, so I really appreciated that," he said. Scheffler posted a bogey‑free 67, featuring four birdies, to finish at 18‑under alongside Fitzpatrick.
Yet the four‑time major champion settled for runner‑up for the second straight week on the PGA Tour. He had previously come from twelve strokes behind at the halfway point to finish second to McIlroy at The Masters, and his strong finish at the Heritage kept him in contention for a second title in three years.
"I did some solid stuff," Scheffler noted. "I think I only had one bogey over the weekend, so I executed a lot of good golf. I would have liked a few more putts to drop, but overall I played the way I wanted. In both weeks—The Masters and the Heritage—I was behind the eight‑ball after the weekend, then had great Saturdays and Sundays to get back into the mix.
On Sunday, a single shot can make the difference, and anytime Fitzpatrick needed something, he made it happen. He earned the win and played great golf." The PGA Tour now moves to Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a two‑man team event at TPC Louisiana, where defending champions Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin will look to repeat their success. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with early coverage starting Thursday at 1 p.m.
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