Fitzpatrick Takes RBC Heritage Lead with Brilliant 63, Lucky Break
Matt Fitzpatrick shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 Friday to grab a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland at the RBC Heritage. The defending champion sits at 14-under 128 through two rounds at Harbour Town.
Fitzpatrick’s round featured both stellar golf and a touch of good fortune. On the par-3 14th, his tee shot veered dangerously left toward trees and sand when it caught what looked like a cart path edge, redirecting the ball down a slope onto the green. A sprinkler head slowed it just enough to keep it dry.
“Yeah, it was lucky, there’s no two ways about it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sometimes you need that in a week, so it’s nice to get, and then even nicer to take advantage of it.”
Take advantage he did, sinking the improbable 30-foot birdie putt and adding two more birdies over the next three holes to complete his flawless round.
Hovland battled tougher afternoon conditions when winds strengthened, making club selection tricky around Harbour Town’s tree-lined corridors. He still managed an impressive 65 that included a birdie on the exposed par-3 17th where he stuck his approach to 12 feet.
“I wouldn’t say I striped it today, but at least I kind of kept the ball in front of me, and that’s what you’re trying to do on this golf course,” Hovland said.
Harris English sits three shots back after overcoming a double bogey on 11 to post a 68. The mishap came after getting caught in a bad gust of wind and finding a plugged lie in a bunker.
Patrick Cantlay continued his strong play following last week’s Masters recovery, shooting 64 to join Sepp Straka (67) and Ludvig Aberg (71) at four shots behind. Aberg was closing in on Fitzpatrick until three bogeys on the back nine derailed his momentum.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler hit all 14 fairways—only the fourth time in his career he’s accomplished that feat—leading to a bogey-free 67. He’s seven shots off the lead.
Fitzpatrick and Scheffler’s morning pairing produced some spectacular golf. On the par-4 eighth, both players hit nearly identical approaches, with Scheffler’s shot stopping 7 feet from the hole and Fitzpatrick’s finishing just 6 inches closer, prompting a smile from Scheffler.
The blustery conditions created havoc across the field. The 82 players combined for 20 double bogeys on 11 different holes. Jordan Spieth made three of them while scraping together a 73.
Fitzpatrick credits his continued strong iron play that began at The Players Championship, where he finished one shot behind Cameron Young, and carried through to his win at the Valspar Championship.
Harbour Town holds special meaning for Fitzpatrick beyond his 2023 playoff victory over Spieth.
“My family used to come over on holiday,” he said, explaining his father likely searched for “tennis” and “golf” and “nice weather” when planning trips. Fitzpatrick even recalls attending the tournament as a spectator, getting a golf ball signed by Boo Weekley.
Now the major champion is chasing another plaid jacket at a place that’s always felt like a second home.
