PGA: Matthew Fitzpatrick wins RBC Heritage Tournament in overtime

Matthew Fitzpatrick got the better of Jordan Spieth at the end of the 3rd hole of overtime to win the RBC Heritage Tournament on Sunday afternoon in Hilton Heads, South Carolina.

On the decisive hole, Fitzpatrick placed his second shot on the par-4 of the 18th less than a foot from the cup to force Spieth to birdie, which he was unable to achieve.

Spieth had a chance to end the argument on the first two holes of overtime, but each time his putt veered off target at the last moment. Spieth’s putt on the 18th flag went around the hole while the one on the 17th hole just veered to the right.

For Fitzpatrick, this is a second PGA Tour title, following his triumph at the US Open last summer.

Fitzpatrick was two strokes behind Spieth with five holes to play, but birdied on the 15th and 16th holes to tie the game with a minus-17 score.

Alone at the top of the standings after three rounds, Fitzpatrick was two strokes ahead of Spieth at the start of the day.

Fitzpatrick finished the final round with a 68 (minus-3) as Spieth shot 66 for the second straight day.

American Patrick Cantlay took 3rd position with a cumulative -15, one shot ahead of Xander Schauffele who took exclusive 4th place.

A week after his Masters triumph, Spaniard Jon Rahm finished the tournament in 15th place after a round of 68 in the final round.

Corey Conners completed the course in 72 strokes to be the highest-ranked Canadian in the tournament, tied for 31st place. His compatriots Nick Taylor (71) and Adam Svensson (70) finished tied for 41st.

Final classification (par 71):

1. Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) -17 (66-70-63-68), 4-3-3 aux play-offs

2. Jordan Spieth (USA) -17 (68-67-66-66)

3. Patrick Cantlay (USA) -16 (69-65-66-68)

4. Xander Schauffele (USA) – 15 (67-66-70-66)

4. Sahith Theegala (USA) -14 (70-68-67-65)

. Hayden Buckley (USA) – 14 (69-68-66-67)

7. Brian Harman (USA) -13 (65-70-69-67)

. Sungjae Im (KOR) -13 (66-72-66-67)

. . . . Emiliano Grillo (ARG) -13 (68-67-68-68)

. Cam Davis (AUS) -13 (70-67-66-68)

…

15. Jon Rahm (ESP) -11 (72-64-69-68)