Matt Fitzpatrick closed with a bogey-free, career-low 63 featuring an eagle at the par-4 3rd hole when he holed out from the waste area from 149 yards. He takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the RBC Heritage.
A new career-low score for @MattFitz94 💪
He's out front by 1 @RBC_Heritage. pic.twitter.com/4Gg5dU8byM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 15, 2023
“[The eagle is] obviously a great start to the round. It puts you in great position, 3-under through 3. For me, that’s ideally the start you need on a Saturday, isn’t it. It just gets you off to a good start,” said the Englishman.
“I think this is a golf course that’s shown that there are low scores around here this week, and to do that for myself is a big positive.
“Aside from Augusta it’s my favorite golf course. It really is. 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.”
He holds the 54-hole lead/co-lead on Tour for the third time while seeking his second win.
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
2022 runner-up Patrick Cantlay of the USA shot a bogey-free 66 as he seeks to become the first player to win a tournament one year after losing it in a playoff since 2008.
“I feel like it’s important to play from the fairway around this golf course, and I did that. Gave myself a lot of chances and was able to hole some putts on the back nine,” said Cantlay.
“I think the course does a good job of – if you’re playing in position you can be aggressive to certain hole locations, but if you get out of position you really need to take your medicine.
“This golf course gives you a lot of chances if you play from the fairway.”
Compatriot and defending champion Jordan Spieth also shot a 66 and trails by two in his bid to successfully defend on Tour for the first time in twelve attempts.
Overnight leader Jimmy Walker sits three back after carding a 72 in search of his first title since the 2016 PGA Championship.
"That was about as good as I can do."
Jimmy Walker discusses his difficult recovery shot on No. 16 live @RBC_Heritage. pic.twitter.com/k1GBKBiHO9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 15, 2023
Tied in fourth place at 11-under alongside Walker are fellow Americans Taylor Moore (67), Mark Hubbard (68) and Scottie Scheffler (69) as well as England’s Tommy Fleetwood (68).
World No. 2 Scheffler would move back into the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking with a victory this week regardless of where current No. 1 Jon Rahm (T21) finishes.
