Scottie Scheffler has lauded Matt Fitzpatrick’s dedication as the pair prepare to battle it out for the RBC Heritage title. Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, takes a three-shot lead into the final round in South Carolina. Scheffler is chasing his 21st PGA Tour title.
Fitzpatrick’s Lead After Third Round
Fitzpatrick carded an impressive third-round 68 to lead the RBC Heritage. He recovered from a shaky start, which included two bogeys in his first two holes. He was back on par by the 12th hole.
Birdies on the 12th and 14th, followed by a chip-in eagle on the 15th, propelled him to his 68. Fitzpatrick acknowledged the satisfying feeling of turning his round around, stating it would have been nicer to go out with nine birdies and be plenty clear.
“It’s always satisfying when you can turn it around, particularly if you have not played that well and you are struggling a little bit and not scoring as well as you want,” the 2023 champion said. “Obviously it would have been nicer to go out with nine birdies and be plenty clear, but to be in the position I am in, it’s something that you’d snatch your hand off for.
“Even if I was one clear, it’s still such a successful day, and even if I was two behind going into tomorrow you’d snatch your hand off at that on Wednesday night.
“I guess it’s all about perspective, and I’ve obviously put myself in a nice position and hopefully I can kick on.”
Scheffler’s Praise for the Leader
Despite Fitzpatrick’s lead, Scheffler is close behind after a sensational seven-under-par 64. Scheffler made eight birdies, dropping just one shot with a bogey on the seventh.
Scheffler was full of praise for Fitzpatrick after finishing his round. “I admire him because he works really hard,” Scheffler said. “He’s a guy that I see always doing stuff in order to play well. He’s a guy that he gets really into his stats. He’s a guy that’s going to check every single box that he can in order to get out here and play well.”
RBC Heritage Leaderboard
- Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng): -17
- Scottie Scheffler (US): -14
- Brian Harman (US), Si-Woo Kim (Kor), Sepp Straka (Aut): -13
Sepp Straka, Brian Harman and Si-woo Kim make up the rest of the top five on 13 under.
Fitzpatrick will be looking over his shoulder at world number one Scheffler following his sensational round.