Fitzpatrick claimed the winner's prize of $3.6 million (£2.7 million), according to multiple reports. Scheffler earned approximately £1.6 million as the runner-up. The financial windfall extended to their caddies, with Fitzpatrick's caddie, Ted Scott, receiving a percentage of Scheffler's prize money under their unique arrangement, major media sources indicate. Caddies typically earn around 10% for a win and 7% for a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour. Scott previously earned between £126,000 and £181,000 from Scheffler's Masters performance, major media sources indicate.
Fitzpatrick's path to the playoff was built on a stellar second round. He shot a bogey-free 63 to take a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland. During that round, he got a lucky break at the 14th hole when his tee shot turned hard left toward sand and trees but caught the edge of a cart path, sending it back onto the green and toward water. The ball was slowed by a sprinkler to stay dry, and he holed a 30-foot putt for birdie. Fitzpatrick birdied two of the next three holes after the 14th and completed the bogey-free round, reaching 14-under 128 after 36 holes.
Scheffler, meanwhile, faced a seven-shot deficit after the second round. He mounted a steady comeback, hitting all 14 fairways for only the fourth time in his career. Two of Scheffler's previous times hitting all 14 fairways were on the wide fairways of Kapalua. He had a steady diet of birdie chances in the 18-foot range and shot a bogey-free 67.
The final round featured intense competition between the leaders. Fitzpatrick and Scheffler played alongside each other and hit the ball well, with birdie chances on every hole. On the par-4 eighth hole, Scheffler hit the left corner of the green, hopping to 7 feet, and Fitzpatrick followed to 6 inches closer. Fitzpatrick surged ahead with three straight birdies on the front and three straight birdies on the back. However, he held a three-shot lead with four holes remaining but collapsed, allowing Scheffler to force a playoff. Fitzpatrick made Sunday's only bogey on the 18th hole, while Scheffler made a birdie on the 18th after a perfect approach shot. The crowd had followed behind and filled the fairway. After that, the tournament would be decided in a playoff where the 18th hole, cleared of spectators, would be played back and forth until a winner was decided. It was enough to play the par-4 hole once.
I have someone else handle paying Ted Scott because I can be 'like a child' with finances.
The atmosphere during the playoff was charged, with multiple reports indicating American fans cheered raucously for Scheffler and created a hostile atmosphere for Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick responded to the energy after his winning putt by pointing to his ear and smiling at the crowd.
Other players delivered notable performances. Viktor Hovland had a tougher afternoon round due to stronger wind after shooting a 65 in the second round. He birdied the par-3 17th hole by hitting his tee shot to 12 feet. On the par-5 fifth hole, Hovland holed a 30-foot putt for birdie from 205 yards out for his third shot. Harris English got the wrong gust on the 11th hole, leading to a double bogey from a plugged lie in the sand. He shot a 68 and was three shots behind Fitzpatrick.
In a concurrent LIV Golf event, Jon Rahm dominated the field in Mexico City, winning by six strokes, according to multiple reports. Rahm earned $4 million for his individual win plus a share of $3 million from the team jackpot. The lucrative prize distribution extended down the leaderboard, with finishing 11th worth $380,000. Scott Vincent received $1 million for fourth place, while Cameron Smith and Sergio Garcia each received $131,625 for tying for 40th. Richard Bland received $126,000 for finishing 46th.
Financial uncertainties linger for LIV Golf. Bryson DeChambeau wants a reported $500 million to remain with the circuit, major media sources indicate. The series has burned through an estimated $5 billion of Public Investment Fund cash since 2021. However, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil assured players and staff that money is in place for the rest of this season. The organization announced it will return to Mexico City's Chapultepec Golf Club in 2027.
The crowd was cordial and did not turn against Matt Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick's victory carries personal significance. He is a devoted Sheffield United supporter and brings his underdog perspective to the golf course, according to official sources. He also won the RBC Heritage in a playoff over Jordan Spieth in 2023.
The outcome has implications for the PGA Tour season, showcasing the intense rivalry at the top of the game. Fitzpatrick's ability to close under pressure, despite the crowd dynamic, underscores his mental toughness. Scheffler's consistent performance, even in defeat, reinforces his status as the world's premier player.
Reactions to the tournament drama highlighted its entertainment value. Fitzpatrick remarked that it was quite funny that the playoff would only continue to be played on hole 18, adding he thought it would be difficult to separate them and that doing what he did was special.
Several questions remain unanswered. The specific percentage Ted Scott receives from Scottie Scheffler's prize money is not publicly disclosed, nor is the exact amount Fitzpatrick's caddie earned from the RBC Heritage victory. The precise financial status and future funding of LIV Golf beyond this season are unclear, as are the specific terms of Bryson DeChambeau's reported $500 million demand.