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Matt Fitzpatrick Reacts to Crowd Chant for Scottie Scheffler at RBC Heritage: 'It Was Just Loud'

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Matt Fitzpatrick Reacts to Crowd Chant for Scottie Scheffler at RBC Heritage: 'It Was Just Loud'

Originally posted on DailyClubGolf | By Abhishek Sharma | Last updated Apr 20, 2026 10:20 AM ET

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Matt Fitzpatrick won his second RBC Heritage title on Sunday at the historic Harbour Town Golf Links, winning another dramatic playoff battle this time against World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

But the final round did not just feature top-level golf. In an intense display of patriotism, a large contingent of South Carolina supporters of the world’s No. 1 player had been chanting “USA” repeatedly throughout the day.

Fitzpatrick addressed the patriotic atmosphere following his win.

“To describe it in my terms, it’s kind of winning away against your biggest rival,” Fitzpatrick said at the press conference on April 19. “Nothing to do with Scottie or the players; it’s the fans that have sort of spurred me on there. It was nice to obviously win, but it never crossed the line. It was just loud. Just loud.”

Many people criticized the chants on social media. Fans thought the display was uncalled-for since it wasn’t an international event, and potentially distracting for the European golfer.

Despite the noise, he insisted the crowd never truly got out of line during the play.

“It didn’t get out of line in terms of no one was shouting on backswings or anything like that, which was great. I’m all for it,” Fitzpatrick added.

Was on 18 for the final group and playoff, absolute scenes. But the USA chants are TERRIBLE. What’re we doing???? This isn’t the Ryder Cup

No love for Fitzpatrick when he has a literal Harbour Town lighthouse head cover is sad. I get the Scottie love, but should be similar pic.twitter.com/M2OqKdSK0Z
— Jake Knapp’s Lifting Coach (@TalkBirdie2Mee) April 19, 2026

For Fitzpatrick, the crowd’s support of his rival served as a positive stimulant for competing better.

“There’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that. There isn’t a better feeling,” he explained.

Fitzpatrick and Scheffler were deadlocked at 18-under par after 72 holes, forcing a dramatic sudden-death playoff that took place on the difficult 18th green, and where the former eventually notched a winning birdie.

The World No. 1 gave a strong resistance but fell behind in the playoff round. The loss was a stumble for the American, who has dominated the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Previous Success at Harbour Town

This was reminiscent of an earlier victory at the same venue, when Matt Fitzpatrick beat Jordan Spieth in a playoff round in 2023. So, between the two victories which one does Fitzpatrick prefer?

“It feels as good as anything. I’ve won twice. There’s no preference,” he said.

The win was made even more special by the presence of his family and his wife.

“It’s a rare thing to win with close family around,” Fitzpatrick said. “I don’t take it for granted. It’s really nice that they can be here for moments like this.”

The win comes as a big boost to him as he heads into the rest of the 2026 PGA Tour season. He admitted that the ball is going where he “intends it to go.”

As Fitzpatrick gets ready for his next tournament, he boasts two victories from his last three starts.