The now leading European duo of World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and new World No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick have combined to deny victory to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler for a second week runnng.
First it was McIlroy at the Masters holding on to match Schefller in winning at Augusta National for a second year running and now a week on as Fitzpatrick has silenced Scheffler into second place to also match the Texan in capturing a second RBC Heritage Classic title at Hilton Head.
Fitzpatrick has jumped from No. 7 in the world to No. 3 after the bitter disappointment in bogeying the 72nd hole but then at the first extra hole, playing a brilliant 4-iron shot to just eight-feet to set-up his winning birdie.
TOP EUROPEAN DUO COMBINE TO DENY SCOTTIE A SECOND WEEK RUNNING ….
First it was Rors capturing @TheMasters & a week later new @OWGRltd No. 3 @MattFitz94 captures a second @RBC_Heritage to also keep the game’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at arm’s reach.
And Matt declaring Harbor… pic.twitter.com/fczXCiruhp
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) April 20, 2026
And in capturng a fourth PGA Tour title the Englishman did so with fans chanting patriotically USA! USA! USA! in the hope his American would succeed in the $20m tournament.
As well, McIlroy and Fitzpatrick have won back-to-back in also denying Scheffler a third Masters green jacket and also a third Plaid Heritage Classic victor’s jacket.
“Yeah, obviously absolutely delighted”, said Fitzpatrick.
“To do it the way I did was special. Yeah, it’s tough to put into words. The 18th hole was playing so different today compared to the first three days. It was quite funny that the playoff was just going to keep playing on 18. I was thinking it was going difficult in a way to separate ourselves because it’s such a difficult hole.
“Yeah, to do it how I did was special”.
And while the Harbor Town crowd was patriotic in getting behind Scheffler that did so in a polite-like manner, and nothing akin to the ugly scenes the golf world witnessed last September at Bethpage Park as Fitzpatrick agreed.
“No, it didn’t get out of line in terms of no one was shouting on backswings or anything like that, which was great”, said Fitzpatrick.
“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 chanting at you every week, it’s 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 sort of spurred me on there. It was nice to obviously win, but it never crossed the line. It was just loud. Just loud”.
And Scheffler, despite the defeat for a second tournament in succession, agreed: “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”.
Fitzpatrick this week is teaming with younger brother Alex to contest Thursday’s commencing $9.5m Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
