Matt Fitzpatrick revealed how his caddie replicating words used during Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam success helped him to a dramatic play-off victory at the RBC Heritage.
Fitzpatrick let a four-shot advantage slip during an eventful final round at Harbour Town Golf Links, where a final-hole bogey saw him post a one-under 70 and slip him into a play-off against world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.
The Englishman responded by firing his approach on the first extra play-off hole to within 12 feet and rolling in a winning birdie, his fourth PGA Tour title and second victory in as many starts.
Fitzpatrick played alongside Scottie Scheffler in the final group on Sunday
McIlroy experienced a similar final-round stumble before defeating Justin Rose to play-off victory at Augusta National last April, completing the career Grand Slam, with Fitzpatrick receiving similar encouragement after 72 holes to what McIlroy got from Harry Diamond during that Masters win.
“He [Daniel Parratt, caddie] actually said getting to the tee, ‘we’d have taken this start of the week’,” Fitzpatrick revealed after his win. “I know Rory said that the other week.
Matt Fitzpatrick hugs his caddie, Daniel Parratt, after winning the RBC Heritage
“I jokingly said to Dan, I was like, ‘oh okay, here he is, Harry Diamond here’. Yeah, we had a good laugh about that. I felt like I was in a good spot, and to hit the four-iron that I hit there was out of this world.”
Fitzpatrick had taken a three-shot lead into the final day and was briefly four clear, with the former US Open champion three clear with four to play before a late stumble – and back-to-back birdies from Scheffler – forced a fourth play-off in five years at the event.
Highlights from day four of the RBC Heritage.
“Just a lot of grit,” Fitzpatrick said on how he held on. “I felt like I obviously got off to a great start. Had a poor three-putt on two and you feel like almost what could have been, but I would have taken it before I teed off.
“I knew Scottie [Scheffler] was going to make some birdies down the stretch and I kind of had to hang in there a little bit.
“This is a tournament I wanted to win growing up, arguably more than any of the majors before I understood about the game. To win it twice means the world. To go out today and go toe to toe with Scottie and get over the line there on the 73rd is special.”
Fitzpatrick claimed play-off victory at the RBC Heritage
Scheffler lauds Fitzpatrick after strong finish
Four birdies in a bogey-free 67 saw Scheffler join Fitzpatrick on 18 under, only for the four-time major champion to finish runner-up for a second successive week on the PGA Tour.
Scheffler came back from 12 behind at the halfway stage to finish runner-up to McIlroy at The Masters last week, with another weekend charge required to leave him challenging for a second RBC Heritage title in three years.
Highlights from the final round of The Masters, where Rory McIlroy claimed victory ahead of Scottie Scheffler
“I did some solid stuff,” Scheffler insisted. “I think I had only one bogey over the weekend here, so did a lot of really good things. Would have liked to have seen a few more putts go in, but overall I executed the way I wanted to.
“I think in both weeks [The Masters and RBC Heritage] I put myself behind the eight-ball going into the weekend, then had really nice Saturdays and Sundays in order to get myself into contention.
Scheffler was looking for a second PGA Tour win of the season, having won the American Express in January
“On Sunday it’s a shot here or there that makes a difference. This was one of those weeks where anytime Fitzy [Fitzpatrick] needed something to happen, he made something happen. ]
“He definitely earned the win, and he just played great golf.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour heads to Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a two-man team event at TPC Louisiana where Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin return as defending champions.
Watch the Zurich Classic of New Orleans throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 1pm ahead of full coverage from 8pm. Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract.
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