Words: Phil Casey
Matt Fitzpatrick believes his game is heading in the right direction as he bids to defend his RBC Heritage title.
Fitzpatrick defeated Jordan Spieth in a play-off at Hilton Head last year to win his first regular PGA Tour event, the 2022 US Open champion making a birdie at the third extra hole after the pair had finished tied on 17 under par.
Spieth missed two excellent chances to successfully defend a title for the first time in his career before Fitzpatrick sealed victory in stunning fashion as the pair returned to the 18th for the third time, his approach from 186 yards pulling up just inches from the hole.
And while Spieth headed to Hilton Head after missing the cut in the Masters, Fitzpatrick finished just outside the top 20 at Augusta National to continue an encouraging run of form.
“I feel like I’ve played much better since The Players (Championship, where he finished fifth),” Fitzpatrick said.
“From the Players onwards I’ve had some half-decent results, sort of a better trend for myself I feel like in the right direction.
“My game’s there or thereabouts, just think I need a bit of momentum at certain times in the tournament that might spur me on to something a bit greater.
“There’s no pressure for me this week. I’m just going to go out there, enjoy it, there’s no cut to even worry about.
“It’s about trying to be probably aggressive for four days and try and make as many birdies in and as few bogeys as possible.”
BIG PRIZE FUND
The elevation of the RBC Heritage to one of the PGA Tour’s signature events means that the winner on Sunday will earn USD 3.6million (£2.89m) from the overall prize fund of USD 20m (£16m), the same figures which applied at the Masters.
That has helped ensure a stronger field than normal has made the short journey from Augusta to Hilton Head, with champion Scottie Scheffler joined by nearest challengers Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa.
“He’s just been annoying everyone for the last three months, hasn’t he?” Fitzpatrick said with a smile when asked about Scheffler’s run of three wins and a runners-up finish in his last four events.
“Yeah, he’s unbelievable. I can’t say enough about him, really of how highly I regard him, how highly I rate him as a golfer and a person.
“I don’t know Scottie super well off the golf course but he certainly comes across really grounded. I think that’s made it easier for everyone to root for him.
“I watched the last four, five holes of his finish last week and the shots he hit were unbelievable. The way he was playing kind of just didn’t faze him and it was as if he was playing with his pals at home.”