Scottie Scheffler delivered a strong performance during the RBC Heritage on Sunday, showcasing his exceptional skills and putting himself in a position to challenge for the title. His consistent play was enough to force a playoff with Matt Fitzpatrick, but ultimately, it was Fitzpatrick who emerged victorious on the first playoff hole.
Fitzpatrick, a 32-year-old English golfer, demonstrated remarkable precision by hitting a stunning four-iron from 202 yards out to the 18th green. He then sank an eight-foot birdie putt to secure the win, marking his second victory at the RBC Heritage. Despite the loss, Scheffler can take pride in his performance throughout the tournament.
Before the final round, Fitzpatrick had predicted that Scheffler would have the support of the RBC Heritage fans. His prediction proved accurate, as the American crowd showed strong support for the world number one throughout the event.
Scheffler addressed the media after the playoff, reflecting on the fan support he received during the final round. He acknowledged the positive energy from the crowd, noting that they were generally respectful and supportive of both players.
“
It’s nice always to get some support from the crowd,
”
Scheffler said. “
I thought they were pretty cordial in terms of cheering for me and not cheering against Fitzy, so I was definitely appreciative of that.
”
The crowd at Harbour Town was respectful of Fitzpatrick despite their enthusiasm for Scheffler. However, their support became more energetic during the playoff, which is typical for such high-stakes events.
When asked to evaluate his performance at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler offered a balanced perspective. He highlighted the positives while acknowledging areas where he could have improved.
“
Yeah, I did some solid stuff,
”
he said. “
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. It was just challenging out there. The wind is swirling all around, and it was hard to make birdies late in the day.
”
Scheffler also reflected on his approach to the tournament, noting that he had positioned himself well going into the weekend. He credited his strong performances on Saturday and Sunday for getting him into contention.
“I think in both weeks I put myself behind the 8-ball going into the weekend and had really nice Saturdays and Sundays in order to get myself into contention,” he said.
He added that the difference in the final round came down to small moments.
“On Sunday it’s a shot here or there that makes a difference. This was one of those weeks where anytime Fitzy needed something to happen, he made something happen.”
Scheffler concluded by praising Fitzpatrick’s performance, stating that he had earned the win through his excellent play.
“He definitely earned the win, and he just played great golf.”
