Matt Fitzpatrick revealed how his caddie replicated words used during Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Grand Slam success to spur him on to a dramatic play-off victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday.
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 before rolling in a winning birdie putt to clinch his .
McIlroy experienced a similar final-round stumble before defeating Justin Rose during his play-off victory at Augusta National last April to complete 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.
"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.
"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 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 poked a playful dig towards American Ryder Cup fans as spectators at the RBC Heritage cheered heavily in Scheffler's favour during Sunday's play-off.
After clinching victory, Fitzpatrick turned to patrons standing in the gallery at the 18th green and cupped his hand to his ear in celebration.
While the Englishman said he relished the atmosphere, he was asked if he found it strange that fans had begun to sing US Ryder Cup chants as he and Scheffler battled for victory.
"No. Americans are incredibly patriotic and I think that was amazing," Fitzpatrick said.
"I guess the only issue is they just have shorter memories because we won in October."
Despite the quip, Fitzpatrick added that the crowd motivated him to victory.
"It didn't get out of line in terms of no one was shouting during backswings or anything like that, which was great," Fitzpatrick said.
"I'm all for it. I love the people. They're supporting Scottie; that's great. You want golf to have an atmosphere, in my opinion. I grew up watching football. I'm paid so much money to be out there in front of those crowds. Having them chant at you every week is a great feeling.
"However, there's no better feeling than coming out on top against that. There isn't a better feeling.
"To describe it in my terms, it's kind of winning away against your biggest rival. Nothing to do with Scottie or the players; it's the fans that have spurred me on there. It was nice to obviously win, but it never crossed the line. It was just loud. Just loud."
Scheffler also hailed the fans at the RBC Heritage, saying: "It's nice always to get some support from the crowd.
"I thought they were pretty cordial in terms of cheering for me and not cheering against Fitzy, so I was definitely appreciative of that."
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.
"I did some solid stuff," Scheffler insisted. "I think I had only one bogey over the weekend here, so I 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.
"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."
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.
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