Matt Fitzpatrick disclosed that his caddie, Daniel Parratt, echoed the motivational phrasing famously used by Harry Diamond for Rory McIlroy during the 2025 Grand Slam, and that the familiar encouragement helped the Englishman secure a dramatic playoff win at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. The tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links had been a roller‑coaster for Fitzpatrick. He entered the final round holding a four‑stroke lead, but a wayward tee shot and a late‑day bogey on the 18th hole saw his score slip to one‑under 70, forcing a sudden‑death showdown with world number one Scottie Scheffler.
The pressure was palpable, yet Fitzpatrick managed to fire his first playoff tee shot within twelve feet of the pin and calmly rolled his birdie putt into the cup, clinching his fourth PGA Tour title and his second victory in as many starts. The scenario reminded many observers of McIlroy’s own near‑collapse on the final day of the 2024 Masters. McIlroy had also faltered on the back nine before sinking a decisive birdie in a playoff against Justin Rose to complete his career Grand Slam. In that moment, Harry Diamond whispered the same line that Parratt now repeated for Fitzpatrick: "We’d have taken this start of the week," a phrase that underscores confidence in the opening holes and the belief that a strong start can carry a player through the toughest stretches.
Fitzpatrick recounted the exchange after his win: "He actually said, ‘getting to the tee, we’d have taken this start of the week.’ I recognized it as the exact line Rory heard from Harry a few weeks earlier. I joked with Dan, ‘Oh, there’s Harry Diamond now,’ and we both had a laugh. It put me in a good mental space, and the four‑iron I hit on that first playoff hole felt out of this world." The Englishman had been three strokes ahead at the start of the final day and was briefly four strokes clear with four holes to play.
However, a mis‑hit and two consecutive birdies by Scheffler erased the margin, setting up the fourth playoff in five years at the Heritage. When asked about his composure, Fitzpatrick emphasized grit: "I started strong, then had a terrible three‑putt on the second hole, which made me think about what could have been.
I knew Scottie would make a push, so I just had to hang on and trust my game." He also reflected on the personal significance of the tournament: "Growing up, I wanted to win the RBC Heritage more than any major before I truly understood the sport. Winning it twice would be huge, and beating Scottie on the 73rd hole made it even more special." The atmosphere in the gallery added another layer of intrigue.
As the playoff unfolded, many American Ryder Cup fans began chanting traditional U.S. chants, cheering for Scheffler. Fitzpatrick took the moment in stride, offering a light‑hearted comment: "Americans are incredibly patriotic, and that was amazing. The only downside is their memory is short—they already forgot we won in October." He added that the crowd’s energy was a net positive: "No one shouted during backswing, which was great.
I love the fans; they were supporting Scottie, and that’s fine. Golf needs atmosphere. I grew up watching football, and being paid to perform in front of those crowds feels amazing. Their chants every week are a great feeling, but there’s no better feeling than winning against your biggest rival in that environment." Scheffler, for his part, praised the spectators: "It’s always nice to get support from the crowd.
They cheered for me without trying to drown out Fitzpatrick, so I appreciated that." Scheffler’s own performance was impressive—a bogey‑free 67 with four birdies that left him tied at 18 under, just one stroke shy of Fitzpatrick’s total. It marked his second consecutive runner‑up finish on the PGA Tour, following a close second to McIlroy at the Masters the week before. Scheffler reflected on his weekend: "I played solid golf, only one bogey, and executed most of my shots well.
I wish a few more putts had dropped, but overall I was happy with my performance. Both weeks I was behind the eight‑ball at the halfway point, then posted strong Saturdays and Sundays to get into contention. On Sunday, a single shot can make the difference, and Fitzzy made the crucial one.
He earned the win and played great golf." Looking ahead, the PGA Tour will move 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 attempt to retain their title. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with early coverage beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. and full coverage from 8 p.m., or stream the tournament without a contract.