Matt Fitzpatrick explained how his caddie echoed the motivational phrasing that Rory McIlroy used during his 2025 Grand Slam run, helping the Englishman pull off a dramatic playoff win at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. Fitzpatrick entered the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links with a comfortable four‑shot cushion, but a late bogey on the 18th dropped his score to one‑under 70 and forced a sudden‑death showdown with world number one Scottie Scheffler. On the first extra hole, Fitzpatrick unleashed a precise approach that landed just 12 feet from the pin, and he calmly rolled his birdie putt into the cup to secure his fourth PGA Tour title and his second win in as many starts. The finish echoed a similar scenario that unfolded for McIlroy at the Masters in April, when the Northern Irish star recovered from a stumble on the final day, beat Justin Rose in a playoff, and completed the career Grand Slam.
Fitzpatrick said his caddie, Daniel Parratt, delivered a line that mirrored the one Harry Diamond gave McIlroy during that Masters victory. "He actually said, ‘getting to the tee we’d have taken this start of the week,’" Fitzpatrick recounted after the win.
"I remembered Rory saying that the other week, so I joked with Dan, ‘Oh, here’s Harry Diamond.’ We had a good laugh, but it also put me in a positive mindset. When I hit the four‑iron on the playoff hole it felt extraordinary." Fitzpatrick had built a three‑shot lead heading into Sunday and was briefly four strokes clear with four holes to play. A mis‑hit on the 15th and a string of birdies by Scheffler erased that margin, setting up the first playoff at the Heritage in five years. The Englishman described the experience as a test of grit.
"I started strong, then had a poor three‑putt on the second hole and thought about what could have been," he said. "I knew Scottie would make a move, so I had to stay patient and keep fighting." He added that the Heritage held special meaning for him, noting that he had dreamed of winning it even before he fully understood the nuances of the game.
"Winning this tournament twice means the world to me," Fitzpatrick said. "To go head‑to‑head with Scottie on the 73rd hole and come out on top is something I’ll remember forever." The gallery at Harbour Town was a lively mix of American Ryder Cup fans who cheered loudly for Scheffler throughout the playoff. Fitzpatrick took the moment in stride, cupping his hand to his ear in celebration after the winning putt and delivering a light‑hearted comment about the patriotic chants. "Americans are incredibly patriotic, and that was amazing," he laughed.
"The only downside is they have short memories – we won in October, and they’re already singing new chants." Despite the banter, Fitzpatrick praised the crowd for adding energy without crossing the line. "No one shouted during backswing, which was great," he observed. "I love the atmosphere. I grew up watching football, and now I get paid to play in front of these crowds.
Hearing them chant for you every week is a fantastic feeling. But there’s no better feeling than winning against your biggest rival while the fans are roaring. It never got out of hand – it was just loud, and that’s exactly what you want in a tournament." Scheffler also expressed appreciation for the spectators, noting that they cheered for him without trying to silence Fitzpatrick.
"It’s nice to get support from the crowd," Scheffler said. "They were cordial, cheering for me and not trying to drown out Fitzy, so I was definitely grateful." Scheffler posted a bogey‑free 67, which included four birdies and left him tied with Fitzpatrick at 18 under par.
The American finished runner‑up for the second consecutive week on the PGA Tour, having been 12 strokes back at the midway point of the Masters before finishing second to McIlroy. His strong finish at the Heritage kept him in contention for a second title in three years. "I played solid golf," Scheffler reflected. "I only had one bogey over the weekend, and I executed most of my shots the way I wanted.
I wish a few more putts had dropped, but overall I was satisfied. Both weeks I was behind at the halfway mark, then turned it around with great Saturdays and Sundays. On Sunday, a single shot can make all the difference, and Fitzzy made the crucial ones. 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 try to retain their title.
Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage throughout the week, with early action starting Thursday at 1 p.m. and full coverage from 8 p.m. Viewers can also stream the tournament without a contract.