Matt Fitzpatrick aimed a timely jibe at the American fans after he held off world number one Scottie Scheffler in a playoff to win the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town.
A birdie at the first playoff hole secured his second win in three starts and silenced a partisan American crowd who soundtracked the closing stages of the final day with chants of ‘USA, USA.’ Fitzpatrick experienced a similar atmosphere at the Players Championship last month where he came out on the wrong side of a battle with Cameron Young, but on Sunday he was delighted to have the last laugh.
When his 12-foot birdie putt went in the hole for the victory, he cupped his ears to the grandstand adjacent to the 18th green and aimed a cheeky Ryder Cup dig in his winning interview.
“Americans are incredibly patriotic,” the 31-year-old said. “I guess the only issue is they just have shorter memories because we won in October.”
Scheffler explained that the fans were more rooting for him rather than wishing ill on Fitzpatrick and the Sheffield man was in agreement and added that he relishes the bit of banter between player and fans.
“It didn’t get out of line in terms of no-one was shouting on backswings or anything like that, which was great. I’m all for it,” he added.
“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 a great feeling.
“However, there’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that. 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.”
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