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Matt Fitzpatrick really enjoyed silencing a group of rowdy American golf fans after his playoff victory over world number one Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage on Sunday.
The Englishman began the final round of the PGA Tour’s flagship event three shots ahead of Scheffler, but as is often the case, the world’s best player refused to go away. Fitzpatrick recorded his only bogey of the afternoon on the 72nd hole to drop to 18 under and advance to the playoff against the American, who shot a bogey-free round of 67 on Sunday.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick plays from the rough on the 7th hole during the first round of the British Open golf championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Thursday July 17, 2025. (Francisco Seco/AP)
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As Fitzpatrick’s par putt from just under 25 feet slipped past the cup on the final hole, chants of “USA-USA-USA” erupted among the crowd on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The 31-year-old is no stranger to hearing it from American fans, having represented Europe four times at the Ryder Cup.
Fitzpatrick gained something not only from his experiences competing in the Ryder Cup, but also from winning the biennial event in 2023 and 2025, a fact he was sure to remind people of after beating Scheffler on the first playoff hole on Sunday.
Europe’s Matthew Fitzpatrick hits out of the bunker on the eighth hole during his singles match on Bethpage Black Golf Course during the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Sunday, September 28, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York. (Robert Bukaty/AP)
“Americans are incredibly patriotic, and I think that was amazing,” Fitzpatrick said when asked if he thought the “USA” chants were strange. “I guess the only problem is they just have shorter memories because we won in October.”
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As he left the 18th green after making a birdie to win the playoff, Fitzpatrick put his finger to his ear to playfully taunt the pro-American crowd.
Besides the Europeans’ spectacular victory over the Americans, the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will be remembered for the fan experience that got out of hand. Fitzpatrick and his European teammates were berated by fans throughout the three-day event in New York, and while the majority agree things crossed the finish line at the Ryder Cup, that certainly wasn’t the case in the final moments of the RBC Heritage.
“No, it didn’t go off the rails, no one screamed on the backswings or anything like that, which was great. I’m all for it. I love the people – they support Scottie; it’s great,” Fitzpatrick explained. “In my opinion, you want golf to have an atmosphere. I grew up watching football. I get paid so much money to be in front of these crowds, to see them chanting at you every week, it’s a great feeling.
“However, there is no better feeling than to prevail in the face of this. There is no better feeling.”
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Matt Fitzpatrick of England waves to the crowd on the 18th green during day one of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Fitzpatrick’s victory on Sunday marked his second RBC Heritage title and his second victory in his last three Tour starts after winning the Valspar Championship in March. The Englishman won the 2023 RBC Heritage in a playoff against Jordan Spieth.
