Matt Fitzpatrick is now a four-time champion on the PGA Tour after his dramatic playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage.
Fitzpatrick and Scheffler each finished the tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links on 18-under, carding fourth rounds of 70 and 67 respectively.
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But the Englishman held his nerve after just one playoff hole, sinking an impressive birdie to claim his second win of the season.
And Fitzpatrick, who also won the RBC Heritage in 2023, has also climbed to his career-high ranking following the success.
Matt Fitzpatrick rises to third in the OWGR after winning the RBC Heritage
Following the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) update, Fitzpatrick is now ranked as the third-best player.
He has risen from seventh place to third, and is now behind only Scheffler in first and Rory McIlroy in second.
At his expense, Cameron Young has dropped one spot to fourth, and Justin Rose has fallen one spot to fifth.
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But rising two places to sixth is Collin Morikawa, while Tommy Fleetwood falls from fifth to seventh, and Russell Henley drops from sixth to eighth.
Xander Schauffele and J.J. Spaun are unmoved in ninth and 10th respectively.
There is also a significant move elsewhere in the top 20, with Jon Rahm rising from 31st to 20th after winning LIV Golf Mexico City.
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Matt Fitzpatrick pleasantly surprised by new golf ranking
Fitzpatrick was made aware of his new ranking in the immediate aftermath of his latest win on the PGA Tour, having not yet realised his achievement.
When asked on Dan on Golf how it feels to be number three in the world, he said: “I didn’t know that. But yeah, that’s nice, really nice. Obviously feels great to get the reward there for the win.”
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It’s a fantastic achievement from Fitzpatrick, whose stellar 2026 season also includes success at the Valspar Championship.
Fitzpatrick has now drawn Scheffler and McIlroy comparisons, and the duo may just be in his ranking sights, although that will be far from easy given their dominance in the sport for some time.
But he can take great confidence from having just beaten the American in a one-on-one battle, proving both his superb ability and impressive mental strength.
Fitzpatrick will, however, simply be taking his season one tournament at a time, with his focus already turning to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
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He’ll therefore have very little time to celebrate his RBC Heritage title, with the 31-year-old set to be eyeing more success when he plays alongside his brother Alex Fitzpatrick at TPC Louisiana.
The new world number three is the highest-ranked player at the tournament this week, which also includes his European Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry, who is intriguingly competing with Brooks Koepka.
Read more:
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