HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Sometimes the greatest reward for a caddie isn’t the money—it’s the public credit from their player.
Matt Fitzpatrick won a thriller at the RBC Heritage in a playoff against Scottie Scheffler. On the 18th hole, from 204 yards into a stiff wind, Fitzpatrick hit 4-iron at the flag (he admits he slightly pulled it) that cleared the bunker and rolled out to 13 feet for the winning birdie.
That 4-iron? It was the first time all week he’d hit it, and only the second time it was even in his bag. The club was there thanks to his caddie, Daniel Parratt, who anticipated the wind direction would change from previous rounds.
“Great planning from Dan,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just so aware of what’s going on with the wind even before we tee off. I knew after the one in regulation, I had basically hit it as well as I could, and then in the fairway it was the same story. I knew I could just hit it. Fortunately, I hit a great shot.”
Jon Rahm had been visibly frustrated during his pedestrian performance at the Masters (T-38). During the early days of LIV Golf Mexico City, he wasn’t interested in discussing what was holding him back. But after closing with a 64 for a six-shot victory, he credited a session with caddie Adam Hayes.
“Adam and I nearly got in a heated argument on Saturday on the putting green at Augusta when he was trying to explain something and I wasn’t fully understanding,” Rahm said. “Once it clicked what he was trying to say and what I needed to work on during that range session Saturday afternoon, it was so much better. Sunday at Augusta I played much better golf, and it’s only gotten a little bit easier since then.”
Perez returns strong after long layoff
Pat Perez had a remarkable return to competition at the Senior PGA Championship. He shot par or better all four days at Concession Golf Club and tied for sixth, finishing 11 shots behind Stewart Cink.
It was his first time playing 72 holes of competition in nearly two years. Perez had previously tied for 18th in the International Series Morocco in July 2024.
What makes this even more impressive? Since leaving LIV Golf at the end of 2024, Perez went nine months without touching a golf club. He spent 2025 doing television for LIV and didn’t bring his clubs with him or use them when home in Arizona.
“I said: ‘You know what? I got nothing to play for,'” Perez said. “I have nothing to get ready for because again, I did not think that this opportunity would come. I thought, ‘I’m just going to take a knee for a minute and see what happens.'”
He’s suspended by the PGA Tour until 2027, so his options are limited to the Senior PGA, U.S. Senior Open, and Senior British Open—all run by other organizations.
But Perez, who turned 50 on March 1, isn’t holding back next year.
“I probably won’t miss an event next year,” he said. “From what I hear, this tour you want to hit it hard from 50 to 55. Since I’m missing 50, I’ll probably hit it hard the first three years and then kind of see where we’re at.”
Perez earned nearly $14 million in prize money during his three years on LIV.
Webb’s impact extends beyond playing career
Karrie Webb continues to nurture Australian golf after her Hall of Fame career that included seven majors and the distinction of being the only woman to win the “Super Grand Slam” of five majors.
Her scholarship program has brought junior players to America for mentorship over the last decade. That list now includes major champions Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, and Grace Kim.
Webb is also supporting coaches. Jade Shellback is the third winner of the Karrie Webb Coaching Scholarship, established in 2024 to help female PGA professionals advance their teaching credentials.
“It’s an honor to be selected, and I’m incredibly grateful. I can’t thank Karrie enough for the support,” said Shellback, who coaches at Royal Melbourne. “It means a lot be recognized and gives me real confidence that I’m on the right path.”
Smash becomes OKGC as LIV continues rebranding
Talor Gooch already owns a Professional Bull Riding team called the “Oklahoma Wildcatters.” Now he’s captain of a LIV Golf League team connected to his home state, rebranded as OKGC.
The new name replaces Smash GC, which had Brooks Koepka as captain until the five-time major champion returned to the PGA Tour this year. The rebrand establishes Oklahoma as the team’s home market.
LIV has already transformed Stinger to Southern Guard for the South Africans and changed Iron Heads to Korean GC. This marks the first time a LIV franchise aligns with a U.S. market.
“This is incredibly meaningful to me,” Gooch said. “Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete. To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of.”
The other team members are Jason Kokrak of Ohio, Harold Varner III of North Carolina, and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.
Hogan Award semifinalists announced
Auburn junior Jackson Koivun is a semifinalist for the third straight year and the front-runner for the Ben Hogan Award, given to the top college golfer based on all college, amateur and professional tournaments over the last 12 months.
Koivun, who won the Hogan Award in 2024, has five wins dating back to the NCAA regionals last spring and posted three straight top 10s on the PGA Tour.
The other semifinalists are Mahanth Chirravuri (Pepperdine), Ryder Cowan (Oklahoma), British Amateur champion Ethan Fang (Oklahoma State), Filip Jakubcik (Arizona), Ben James (Virginia), Christiaan Maas (Texas), Preston Stout (Oklahoma State), Harry Takis (San Diego State), and Tyler Weaver (Florida State).
Three finalists will be announced May 12, and the winner will be revealed May 25 at a black-tie dinner in Fort Worth, Texas.
Divots
Peter Uihlein, Lucas Herbert, Josele Ballester, and Luis Masaveu are among LIV Golf players in the Singapore Open. The event is part of the International Series on the Asian Tour, with the leading two players earning an exemption to the British Open… The BMW Australian PGA is moving to The Lakes in Sydney this year for the first time since 1987… The 2027 Ryder Cup will feature a match between Europe and the United States for the world’s best golfers with a disability (G4D) as part of the centennial celebration. The mixed matches will be Sept. 13-15 at Ballyneety Golf Club in Limerick, about 25 miles from Adare Manor.
Stat of the week
Scheffler earned more for his runner-up finishes at the Masters and the RBC Heritage than for his only win so far this year at The American Express.
Final word
“Americans are incredibly patriotic, and I think that was amazing. I guess the only issue is they just have shorter memories because we won in October.” — Fitzpatrick on the Harbour Town fans chanting “U-S-A” during his playoff victory over Scheffler at the RBC Heritage.
