HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Matt Fitzpatrick managed to shake off a challenging start to take command at the RBC Heritage, shooting a 3-under 68 that allowed him to establish a three-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler on Saturday.
Fitzpatrick's performance included impressive shots from off the green on the back nine, particularly a notable eagle on the par-5 15th, showcasing his ability to regain momentum when it mattered most. Previously, he had struggled early in the round, bringing Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, back into contention.
Starting the day with a one-shot lead, Fitzpatrick faced rising pressure as Scheffler made his move, having entered the third round trailing by seven shots. After an explosive run with five birdies in the first six holes, Scheffler finished the day with a spectacular 7-under 64, briefly tying Fitzpatrick before the Englishman pulled ahead.
Fitzpatrick's key moment came at the par-3 14th, where he rolled in a 25-foot birdie after missing the green, and then later chipped in for an eagle on the par-5 15th. This brought his score to 17-under 196, providing him with crucial breathing room entering the final round.
“Good to be back in the tournament,” Scheffler said after his round. Despite the pressure, he remained determined, knowing he had to put together a stellar performance to have a chance.
Following his initial round of 71, Brian Harman also overcame a slow start, achieving his best score ever at Harbour Town with a 63 to sit four shots off the lead alongside Si Woo Kim and Sepp Straka who also put in solid performances, shooting 66 and 67 respectively.
Both Scheffler and Fitzpatrick played together in the first two rounds where Fitzpatrick opened up a hefty gap. However, Scheffler’s 64 in the third round was the lowest of the players ahead of Fitzpatrick, narrowing the competition as he fought to transform his early disadvantage.
Reflecting on the day’s challenges, Scheffler noted, “Fitzpatrick goes out today and shoots 64, that’s going to make things really hard for me. You need a tiny bit of help.” He acknowledged that sometimes, outstanding performances from competitors could simply outpace any effort made on his part.
The final stretch saw Fitzpatrick regain his focus after a rocky beginning. He faltered at times, including missing par saves on the first and third holes and an additional bogey on the par-3 seventh that briefly allowed contenders to look within striking distance.
Still, once he found his rhythm, Fitzpatrick began to edge away. After making a birdie on the ninth hole from approximately 75 feet, he settled in and completed his round with three pars, putting him firmly in the lead.
The upcoming round promises to be a highly competitive finale, with Fitzpatrick looking to build on his recent success as the RBC Heritage champion from 2023 and Scheffler aiming to capitalize on his previous triumph at Harbour Town two years earlier.
Among other players in contention, Harman emphasized the necessity of maintaining high performance, stating, “Just tried to keep the pedal down. It’s going to take a low number to win.” Meanwhile, Straka expressed admiration for the tournament venue, saying, “I love it. It's one of my favorites we play.”
As the tournament enters its concluding round, all eyes will be on Fitzpatrick and Scheffler, with the former looking to overcome a slow start once more while the latter vies for a second win at this prestigious event.