Matt Fitzpatrick Rides Bogey-Free Third Round to RBC Heritage Lead

Fitzpatrick is looking for his first win since last year’s U.S. Open.

Matt Fitzpatrick has never found much success at what he says is his favorite golf course outside of Augusta National, but his eight-under 63 during Saturday’s third round of the RBC Heritage has him in position to reverse that trend.

Grabbing a share of the lead with overnight leader Jimmy Walker after shooting a front-nine 30 in Hilton Head, Fitzpatrick earned a couple of more birdies on the more difficult back nine as well as some par saves that kept the momentum of the round going. As a result, he sits on top of the leaderboard at 14-under.

“It was just dead there, there was no shot,” Fitzpatrick said of missing the green on the par-3 17th. “I played away from the flag, gave myself the best chance possible straight over the hill, and managed to make it.”

The 25-footer on the 17th found the bottom of the cup and not only saved a shot, but for Fitzpatrick, who wheeled his putter like a scalpel Saturday, it kept his card void of any blemishes.

“Obviously it's important for the par save for the round, but just for me personally—I'd like to have a bogey-free round, so ... it's extra nice to have that, Fitzpatrick said.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It was a dream start for the 28-year-old, who spent much of his vacation time as a kid at Hilton Head, mainly playing tennis, before graduating to golf.

Playing this week with a lighthouse headcover, the Englishman has made eight trips to the RBC Heritage starting in 2014, but with very limited success.

His T-4 in 2021 was his best finish and his only top 10 at Harbour Town.

Add in three missed cuts and you have to wonder what it is about Hilton Head that attracts Fitzpatrick back year after year?

“Aside from Augusta it's my favorite golf course, it really is,” Fitzpatrick said. “I love coming here to play it. I've not had the best results around here. I've had a couple good runs and a couple poor ones, but I really enjoy the design, enjoy the test, and I think it's a great golf course.”

Saturday’s love affair started early with Fitzpatrick eagling the third hole and going three-under through the first three holes.

A hole-out eagle from 149 yards for @MattFitz94 at No. 3 🤩

He's now T3 @RBC_Heritage. pic.twitter.com/dAKXMPtOie

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 15, 2023

From there he was on cruise control, seemingly converting the makeable putts, draining some longer ones and as on the 17th, making the round savers.

Playing in threesomes in Sunday’s final round due to a poor weather forecast, Fitzpatrick will be in elite company with defending champion Jordan Spieth and 2022 playoff runner-up Patrick Cantlay being the others in the pairing.

If anything could fluster Fitzpatrick on Sunday, it will be the driver, which misbehaved in Friday’s second round and after some range time, seemed to mostly obey Saturday, But with narrow fairways and water all around, a poor driving experience could derail any round.

“I hit some balls afterwards, I just didn't feel my driving was there yesterday,” Fitzpatrick said. “Never got myself in good position to hit close approach shots, and then did drive it better today, didn't necessarily feel better but I did drive it better.”

Fitzpatrick joked after the round that another 63 should do it in the final round, which may not be far from the truth—he just needs to hope he is the one shooting the number, because the other two in the pairing are more than capable of doing so.