Matt Fitzpatrick defeated U.S. Ryder Cup star Jordan Spieth in a dramatic, three-hole play-off to claim the RBC Heritage title at Harbour Town on the PGA TOUR.
The victory sees the two-time Ryder Cup Europe player climb five places on the World Points List and into the first automatic qualifying spot with 126.05 points.
Should Fitzpatrick make Captain Luke Donald’s team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy in September, it will be his first appearance on European soil for Team Europe.
Rounds of 66-70-63 saw the 2022 U.S. Open Champion leading by one stroke from defending RBC Heritage champion Spieth after 54 holes. However, a fast start which included four birdies in his first six holes, followed by a Fitzpatrick bogey on seven, saw the four-time U.S. Ryder Cup player take control.
Back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16 pushed Fitzpatrick level with Spieth at 17-under-par and took the tournament to a play-off.
Spieth agonisingly missed putts to win at the first two play-off holes, before Fitzpatrick played a gem of a nine iron – the same club he hit on his final hole on route to his first Major victory - to leave a tap in birdie at the third play-off hole for his ninth worldwide victory.
What. A. Shot. 👏@MattFitz94 nearly holes it for the win on the third playoff hole. pic.twitter.com/hIhOz9owmX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 16, 2023
"It's a course I dreamed of playing when I was young," said Fitzpatrick.
"I feel like I have been very lucky in my career - I have won a major and now this. This is very special.
"I managed to play it a couple of times with my dad (on holiday as a child) and this one means more than anything.
"Of every single one on the calendar, this is the one that I would want to win the most."
2023 Masters Champion Jon Rahm finished in a tie for 15th alongside fellow Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood. Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton finished one stroke further back at ten under par for the tournament.
As it stands Rahm (2,883.53 points), Rory McIlroy (2,189.20 points) and Victor Perez (1,286.02 points) would claim the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Fitzpatrick (126.05 points), Viktor Hovland (121.94 points) and Hatton (116.93 points) currently sitting in the top three positions on the World Points List.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place between September 25 – October 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy.
Click here to see the full rankings.
