Matt Fitzpatrick Beats World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in Thrilling RBC Heritage Playoff

Matt Fitzpatrick defeated world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff on Sunday to win the RBC Heritage for the second time, delivering one of the biggest results of the PGA Tour season at Harbour Town Golf Links. The Englishman birdied the first extra hole after a clutch approach shot on the par-4 18th to secure his fourth PGA Tour title.

Fitzpatrick and Scheffler finished tied at 18-under after 72 holes. Scheffler charged late with birdies on two of his final four holes, while Fitzpatrick made bogey on the 18th in regulation after holding a three-shot lead earlier on the back nine. The result sent the tournament into extra holes for the fourth time in five years.

The victory continues a strong run of form for Fitzpatrick, who also won the Valspar Championship last month and finished runner-up at The Players Championship. “To win it twice means the world,” Fitzpatrick said. “To go toe-to-toe with Scottie and get over the line at the 73rd hole is special.”(via The Guardian)

Matt Fitzpatrick Beats Scottie Scheffler in RBC Heritage Playoff

GettyMatthew Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffle

The playoff returned both players to the 18th hole, which had been played as the toughest hole on Sunday. Fitzpatrick delivered the decisive moment with a 4-iron from 204 yards into the wind that carried the bunker and settled about 13 feet from the hole.

“I felt like I was in a good spot, and to hit the 4-iron that I hit there was out of this world,” Fitzpatrick said after the round.

Scheffler followed with a 6-iron that came up well short of the green. He then hit a quality pitch to eight feet, but Fitzpatrick made his birdie putt before Scheffler needed to attempt his own.

“Fitzy made a great birdie there in the playoff,” Scheffler said. “An incredible birdie the way this hole is playing right now.”

The playoff echoed Fitzpatrick’s 2023 RBC Heritage win, when he defeated Jordan Spieth in extra holes with another memorable approach shot at Harbour Town.

This time, the atmosphere was heavily in Scheffler’s favor. Fans chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!” around the closing hole as the world No. 1 attempted to complete another comeback. Fitzpatrick acknowledged the crowd after the win with a calm reaction.

“I’m all for it,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’re supporting Scottie. You want golf to have an atmosphere… however, there’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that.”

Scottie Scheffler Falls Short After Late Sunday Charge

GettyScottie Scheffler

Scheffler entered the final round three shots behind Fitzpatrick and remained outside immediate contention for much of the day. Fitzpatrick birdied two of his first three holes and controlled the lead through most of the round.

The momentum changed late.

Scheffler made an up-and-down birdie at the par-5 15th, then followed with another birdie at the 16th after a strong drive and approach. That cut the lead to one shot heading to the final two holes.

At the 18th in regulation, both players missed the green to the right. Scheffler chipped to one foot to save par and complete a 4-under 67. Fitzpatrick then hit a poor chip and missed his par putt from distance, making his only bogey of the day and dropping into a tie.

Scheffler praised his opponent after the finish.

“In both weeks, I put myself behind the 8-ball going into the weekend,” Scheffler said, referencing his runner-up finish at the Masters. “This was one of those weeks where anytime Fitzy needed something to happen, he made something happen. He definitely earned the win.”

South Korea’s Si Woo Kim finished alone in third after a closing 68. Collin Morikawa, Harris English, and Ludvig Aberg shared fourth place.

For Fitzpatrick, the win moves him to a career-high No. 3 in the world rankings and adds another significant title to an already strong spring stretch. He said the event has special meaning because his family vacationed in Hilton Head during his childhood.

“It means the world,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is a tournament I wanted to win growing up more than any of the majors before I understood more about the game.”

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