Matt Fitzpatrick leads Scottie Scheffler by 3 shots at RBC Heritage

Fitzpatrick overcomes slow start to maintain lead heading into final round

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the shapes and movements of golfers on a golf course, with the players' forms broken down into abstract planes of color and line.The intense battle between top-ranked golfers Fitzpatrick and Scheffler is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the dynamic competition unfolding on the course.Hilton Head Island Today

Matt Fitzpatrick made three early bogeys but steadied himself with a birdie and an eagle on the back nine to shoot a 3-under 68 and maintain a three-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler heading into the final round of the RBC Heritage tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Scheffler had the low round of the day with a 64 to get back into contention.

Why it matters

The RBC Heritage is one of the PGA Tour's most prestigious events, and the battle between Fitzpatrick and Scheffler, the world's top-ranked player, has set up an exciting final round showdown with several other contenders within striking distance.

The details

Fitzpatrick made three bogeys in his first seven holes, allowing Scheffler to quickly close the gap. But Fitzpatrick steadied himself with a birdie on the 9th hole and an eagle on the 15th to restore his lead to three shots over Scheffler, who had five birdies in his first six holes to get back into the tournament. Brian Harman (63) and Si Woo Kim (66) are four shots back, while Sepp Straka (67) is also within four of the lead.

  • Fitzpatrick started the day with a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland.
  • Scheffler opened with five birdies in his first six holes to get back into contention.
  • Fitzpatrick made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and chipped in for eagle on the 15th to restore his three-shot lead.

The players

Matt Fitzpatrick

The 2023 RBC Heritage champion, Fitzpatrick is seeking his second win at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Scottie Scheffler

The world's top-ranked player, Scheffler is coming off a runner-up finish at the Masters and is in contention for his second PGA Tour win of the season.

Brian Harman

The former British Open champion shot the low round of the day with a 63 to get within four shots of the lead.

Si Woo Kim

The South Korean player is four shots back after a 66 in the third round.

Sepp Straka

The Austrian player is also four shots behind Fitzpatrick after a 67 on Saturday.

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What they’re saying

“The bogeys that I made today, I didn't feel like I kind of hit it off the planet and I was scrambling and stuff. I just felt that they were holes that I didn't really make my par on, and I felt like I was making good enough swings to make a turnaround on the back nine.”

— Matt Fitzpatrick

“Good to be back in the tournament. I was a little bit behind the 8-ball going into today, but had a nice round to put myself back in position.”

— Scottie Scheffler

“Just tried to keep the pedal down. It's going to take a low number to win.”

— Brian Harman

What’s next

Fitzpatrick and Scheffler will be paired together in the final round on Sunday, with Fitzpatrick holding a three-shot lead. Several other players remain within striking distance, setting up an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

The takeaway

The battle between Fitzpatrick and Scheffler, two of the game's top players, has become the main storyline of the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick's ability to recover from his early mistakes and maintain his lead has him in prime position to claim his second title at Harbour Town, but Scheffler and others remain within reach heading into the final round.