Fitzpatrick wins RBC Heritage over Spieth on 3rd extra hole

Matt Fitzpatrick defeated defending champion Jordan Spieth on the third playoff hole at the RBC Heritage on Sunday, stuffing his approach in close on the par-4 18th at Harbour Town to secure his first victory since the U.S. Open last June.

Fitzpatrick hit 9-iron to within 1 foot on the famed, closing lighthouse hole to set up the winning birdie on the Pete Dye course he played as a child on vacation.

Fitzpatrick had to sweat out a couple of prime chances by Spieth on the first two playoff holes. Spieth raised his putter in triumph before watching his 12-foot birdie putt catch the right edge and spin out the first time they played the 18th. Then Spieth’s 10-foot birdie attempt ran out of steam on the right edge at the 17th hole.

There was no doubt about the final hole as Fitzpatrick, from 187 yards out, hit the front of the green and watched the ball settle next to the hole. Spieth’s attempt from 26 feet away rolled past and Fitzpatrick tapped in for the victory.

Fitzpatrick won $3.6 million from the elevated purse of $20 million in the sixth designated event of the year on the PGA Tour.

Fitzpatrick trailed Spieth by two with five holes to play until birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He closed with a 3-under 68. Spieth had to make a 6-foot par putt on the 18th for a 66 to force a playoff at 17-under 267.

The RBC Heritage ended in a playoff for the second straight time. Spieth beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff last year. Cantlay had a 68 on Sunday and finished one shot out of the playoff.