HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Matt Fitzpatrick delivered a clutch performance under pressure on Sunday, draining a birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and win the RBC Heritage for the second time at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The 31-year-old Englishman, who previously won the event in 2023 (also in a playoff, also against an iconic Texan, Jordan Spieth), held a three-shot lead entering the final round after strong play earlier in the week, including a sizzling second-round 63. He maintained control most of the day, opening with birdies on two of his first three holes to stretch his advantage. Despite some missed opportunities on the par-5s, Fitzpatrick kept Scheffler and the rest of the field at bay until late in the round.
Scheffler, who started the final round seven shots back after a strong third-round 64, mounted a late charge. Trailing by three with four holes to play, the world No. 1 birdied the 15th (up-and-down from a bunker) and 16th (bold drive and approach to 10 feet) to cut the deficit to one. Both players missed the 18th green to the right in regulation: Scheffler chipped to within a foot for a tap-in par (completing a flawless 8-for-8 scrambling day for a 4-under 67), while Fitzpatrick chunked his chip and missed a 20-foot par putt for his lone bogey of the round (1-under 70). That mistake sent the tournament to a sudden-death playoff at 18-under par.
The playoff returned to the par-4 18th. Fitzpatrick, facing the wind and a partisan pro-American crowd chanting “U-S-A,” hit a magnificent 4-iron from 204 yards that carried the bunker, rolled past the pin, and settled 13 feet away. Scheffler’s approach came up short of the green. Fitzpatrick calmly drained the birdie putt to secure the victory and silence the gallery.
This marked Fitzpatrick’s fourth PGA Tour title and his second win in three starts this season (following his Valspar Championship victory in mid-March). He earned $3.6 million and 700 FedExCup points. In post-round comments, Fitzpatrick reflected on the shot, the atmosphere, and the special feeling of winning at Harbour Town again — especially as he and his wife await their first child. He also playfully addressed the crowd energy with a light Ryder Cup-style dig.
Scheffler, coming off a runner-up finish at the Masters, showed his trademark resilience but fell just short for the second straight major/signature event. His weekend 64-67 showcased elite scrambling and ball-striking, but he couldn’t match Fitzpatrick’s heroics on the 18th.
Si Woo Kim finished third at 16-under after a final-round 68.
