Fitzpatrick's dramatic win came on the 18th hole, which had been cleared of spectators for the playoff. After sinking the decisive putt, he pointed to his ear and smiled at the crowd, a gesture he later explained referenced his underdog perspective as a Sheffield United supporter. This victory follows his win at the Valspar Championship earlier in the month, making it his second triumph in a three-week span. According to major media reports, Fitzpatrick is now the third Englishman, behind Justin Rose, Sir Nick Faldo, and Luke Donald, to win multiple times in a single PGA Tour season.
The financial rewards for the win are substantial, though they come with significant tax implications. Fitzpatrick's prize money will be subject to both federal and South Carolina state taxes, resulting in a loss of over £1 million, according to major media estimates. Despite this, his performances in the 2026 season have reportedly doubled his career earnings on the PGA Tour, highlighting a remarkable surge in his professional fortunes.
The crowd was cordial and didn't cheer against Matt Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick's path to the playoff was paved by a stellar second-round performance. He shot a bogey-free 63 to take a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland, finishing at 14-under 128, as reported by research sources. A key moment came at the 14th hole, where his ball hit a cart path and ricocheted back onto the green, leading to a birdie. Research indicates the ball was slowed by a sprinkler to stay dry, and Fitzpatrick holed a 30-foot putt for that birdie. He then birdied two of the next three holes, completing a round where his longest par putt was just 4 feet on the final hole, and he surged ahead with three straight birdies on both the front and back nines. Reflecting on his luck at the 14th, Fitzpatrick said in a press conference that his break on the 14th hole was lucky and sometimes you need that in a week.
Runner-up Scottie Scheffler earned approximately £1.6 million for his finish, according to major media reports. His caddie, Ted Scott, is estimated to receive between £112,000 and £160,000 from that prize money, as he earns a percentage of Scheffler's winnings. According to Daily Express - Sport, Scottie Scheffler described having someone else handle paying his caddie because he can be 'like a child' with finances.
The spectators created a 'great atmosphere' and kept themselves in check.
Scheffler's steady play kept him in contention, though he was seven shots behind Fitzpatrick after the second round. He hit all 14 fairways for only the fourth time in his career and had a steady diet of birdie chances in the 18-foot range, according to research. Early in the tournament, Fitzpatrick and Scheffler both hit the ball well, with birdie chances on every hole, exchanging birdies before the wind picked up. On the par-4 eighth, research notes Scheffler hit the left corner of the green to 7 feet, and Fitzpatrick followed to 6 inches closer. Scheffler commented on the playoff atmosphere, saying in a press conference that the crowd was cordial and didn't cheer against Matt Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick echoed this, adding that the spectators created a 'great atmosphere' and kept themselves in check.
Other players also made notable moves during the second round. Viktor Hovland shot a 65 but faced tougher conditions in the afternoon when the wind strengthened, according to research. He hit a tee shot to 12 feet on the par-3 17th for a birdie. Hovland reflected on his round, stating in a press conference that he wouldn't say he striped it today but kept the ball in front of him, which is what you try to do on this golf course. Harris English shot a 68 and was three shots behind, but research indicates he got the wrong gust on the 11th hole, leading to a double bogey from a plugged lie in the sand.
My break on the 14th hole was lucky and sometimes you need that in a week.
Meanwhile, in the rival LIV Golf circuit, Jon Rahm dominated the tournament in Mexico City, winning by six strokes. According to major media reports, Rahm earned $4 million plus a share of $3 million from the team jackpot. LIV Golf has announced it will return to Mexico City's Chapultepec Golf Club in 2027, but the organization faces financial challenges. It has burned through an estimated $5 billion of Public Investment Fund (PIF) cash since its inception in 2021, according to major media sources. LIV Golf's chief executive Scott O'Neil assured players and staff that money is in place for the rest of this season but acknowledged further investment will be needed.
Bryson DeChambeau's future with LIV Golf is uncertain, as he reportedly wants $500 million to remain with the tour, according to major media. The prize structure on LIV Golf is lucrative, with finishing 11th worth $380,000. However, a contradiction exists regarding Scottie Scheffler's participation: major media reports claim Scheffler has never finished outside the top 11 in 31 completed tournaments on LIV Golf, but this conflicts with widespread knowledge that Scheffler is a PGA Tour player, with no corroboration from other sources about his LIV Golf involvement, potentially indicating a factual error.
I have someone else handle paying my caddie because I can be 'like a child' with finances.
The second round of the RBC Heritage was played on a blistering day of heat and big numbers, according to research. Fitzpatrick's putting was particularly effective, with his longest par putt being just 4 feet on the final hole. He surged ahead with three straight birdies on both the front and back nines, capitalizing on the challenging conditions.
Uncertainties persist around LIV Golf's financial future, including its exact funding status and plans beyond the current season. The likelihood and specific terms of Bryson DeChambeau securing a reported $500 million deal remain unclear. At the RBC Heritage, while the crowd was cleared for the playoff, the detailed impact of spectator behavior on the outcome is not fully known. Additionally, the precise tax calculations for Fitzpatrick's prize money beyond the estimated over £1 million loss are unspecified. The broader competitive dynamics between PGA Tour and LIV Golf players in the 2026 season also present ongoing questions.