Matt Fitzpatrick explained that his caddie echoed the motivational phrasing used by Harry Diamond for Rory McIlroy during the 2025 Grand Slam, and that the familiar encouragement helped spark his dramatic playoff victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. Fitzpatrick entered the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links with a four‑stroke cushion, but a late‑day bogey on the 18th reduced his total to one‑under 70 and forced a sudden‑death showdown with world No.
1 Scottie Scheffler. On the first extra hole, Fitzpatrick launched an aggressive approach shot that landed just 12 feet from the pin. He calmly rolled his putter and sank the birdie, securing his fourth PGA Tour title and his second win in as many starts. The Englishman noted that the situation reminded him of McIlroy’s own stumble on the final day at Augusta last April, when the Northern Irish star also fell behind before clinching a playoff win over Justin Rose to complete the career Grand Slam.
Fitzpatrick said his caddie, Daniel Parratt, deliberately quoted the line McIlroy had heard from his caddie, Harry Diamond, after the Masters victory. "He actually said, ‘getting to the tee, we’d have taken this start of the week,’" Fitzpatrick recalled after the win. "I knew Rory said 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 frame of mind. The four‑iron I hit felt out of this world." Fitzpatrick had carried a three‑shot lead into the final day and was briefly four strokes clear, with Scheffler three shots back with four holes to play.
A late‑round stumble and two consecutive birdies from Scheffler erased the margin, sending the tournament into its fourth playoff in five years. "Just a lot of grit," Fitzpatrick said when asked how he managed to hang on. "I started strong, but a three‑putt on the second hole could have cost me the win. I knew Scottie was going to make a push, so I had to stay patient." He added that the RBC Heritage held a special place in his heart.
"Growing up, this was the tournament I wanted to win more than any major before I fully understood the game. Winning it twice means the world to me, and beating Scottie on the 73rd hole feels extraordinary." During the playoff, the gallery at the 18th green erupted with enthusiastic cheers for Scheffler, reflecting the typical American Ryder Cup fervor.
Fitzpatrick smiled at the crowd, cupped his hand to his ear, and responded with good‑natured humor. When asked whether the chanting seemed odd, he replied, "No, Americans are incredibly patriotic and it was amazing. The only thing is they have short memories – we won in October, and they’re already singing new chants." He praised the spectators for their energy, noting that the noise never became disruptive. "No one shouted during backswing, which was great.
I love the atmosphere – I grew up watching football, and now I get paid to play in front of these crowds. Hearing them chant each week is a fantastic feeling.
But there’s no better feeling than winning against that backdrop. It’s like beating your biggest rival on foreign soil." Scheffler returned the compliment, saying, "It’s always nice to get support from the crowd. They were cordial, cheering for me without trying to drown out Fitzy, so I really appreciated that." Scheffler posted a bogey‑free 67, carding four birdies and joining Fitzpatrick at 18 under par, yet he finished runner‑up for the second straight week on the PGA Tour. He had previously come from 12 shots behind at the halfway point of the Masters to finish second to McIlroy, and his strong finish at the Heritage kept him in contention for a second title in three years.
"I did some solid stuff," Scheffler said after the round. "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 pleased. Both weeks I found myself behind the eight‑ball after the first two rounds, then posted great Saturdays and Sundays to get into contention. On Sunday, a single shot can make the difference, and Fitzzy made the right one when he needed it. 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 retain their title.
Sky Sports will provide live coverage throughout the week, with early action beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. and full coverage from 8 p.m., offering streaming options without a contract for viewers who prefer to watch online.