Matt Fitzpatrick’s career-low day, Jimmy Walker does the CBS ‘walk-and-talk’, a star-studded leaderboard and more from Saturday at the RBC Heritage
We’re 18 holes away from crowning a champion of the 2023 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
And Sunday is set to be a good one.
Jimmy Walker, the 36-hole leader, stumbled a little bit on Saturday, shooting a 1-over 72 and is tied for fourth, three back. Despite three bogeys on the back nine, including on Nos. 14 and 15, he did the “walk-and-talk” on CBS, chatting with Jim Nantz as he played the par-4 16th hole, which he parred.
Matt Fitzpatrick took advantage of ideal scoring conditions and shot his lowest round on the PGA Tour, an 8-under 63. He sits atop the leaderboard by one entering the final round.
If you missed any of Saturday’s action, no worries, we have you covered. Here’s everything you need to know from the third round of the RBC Heritage.
Matt Fitzpatrick goes low, rockets up leaderboard
Matt Fitzpatrick smiles on the 18th green during the third round of the 2023 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
On Thursday, we wrote about Fitzpatrick’s love for Harbour Town, dubbing it one of his favorite courses on the Tour schedule.
“Yeah, I used to come here as a kid on holiday a lot,” he said Saturday, “and we just spent a lot of time here as a family. Come to this tournament as a junior and obviously played this tournament since 2016, so it’s one I’m very fond of.”
He showed it again on Day 3, firing a third-round, bogey-free 8-under 63 to rocket up the leaderboard.
Fitzpatrick’s best shot on Saturday came at the par-4 third where he dunked his approach from 149 yards for an eagle to quickly open his day 3 under through three holes.
He’d add five more circles to his card on the way in — he made a big par save from 24 feet on the par-3 17th when he was in the solo lead at 14 under — to complete his eight-deep round and sits at 14 under with 18 holes to go.
Can Jordan Spieth go back-to-back?
Jordan Spieth reacts to his putt on the 18th green during the third round of the 2023 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
After missing the weekend at the 2022 Masters, Spieth made his way to Harbour Town early to get some work in. It resulted in a win.
This week, Spieth was coming off a T-4 finish at Augusta National and came into the RBC Heritage in great form. He’s once again in contention to win in Hilton Head Island.
Spieth has bettered his score each day, shooting a 68 in round one, 67 in round two and posting a 5-under 66 on Day 3.
“My goal was to try to be 5 under and on 18 greens, so I accomplished my goal for the day,” he said after finishing with a par. “That doesn’t always happen.”
With a chance of earning another tartan jacket on the line, he’s looking forward to getting back out there on Sunday.
“For me, that’s why I got into this gig. The ball is in your hands, and I’ve had plenty of times where it’s worked out, I’ve had plenty of times where it doesn’t, but each time I never regretted being in that situation.”
He’s two back of Fitzpatrick.
Spieth’s last win on Tour came at this event a year ago.
Star-studded leaderboard
The Tour created designated events to get the best players in the world together more often, and they keep delivering.
Look at this leaderboard.
Position | Player | Score | World Ranking |
1 | Matt Fitzpatrick | 14 under | 16 |
2 | Patrick Cantlay | 13 under | 4 |
3 | Jordan Spieth | 12 under | 15 |
T-4 | Scottie Scheffler | 11 under | 1 |
T-4 | Tommy Fleetwood | 11 under | 25 |
T-4 | Jimmy Walker | 11 under | 406 |
T-4 | Taylor Moore | 11 under | 50 |
T-4 | Mark Hubbard | 11 under | 160 |
T-9 | Xander Schauffele | 10 under | 6 |
T-9 | Rickie Fowler | 10 under | 58 |
T-9 | Matt Kuchar | 10 under | 51 |
T-9 | Cameron Davis | 10 under | 78 |
T-9 | Hayden Buckley | 10 under | 100 |
T-9 | Emiliano Grillo | 10 under | 115 |
T-9 | Chez Reavie | 10 under | 134 |
Shot of the day
You knew it was coming. Here’s Fitzpatrick holing out from 149 yards on his third hole of the day for a big bird.
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
Sunday's weather forecast
A lighthouse tee box marker at the 2023 RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (Photo: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports)
According to Windy.com, there’s a chance of rain from 1-5 p.m. ET. The temperature is expected to reach 72 degrees with winds around 12 MPH.
Because of the weather forecast, the Tour moved up tee times for the final round. Groups of threes will go off No. 1 and No. 10.
Due to forecasted thunderstorms, the final round of the RBC Heritage will consist of threesomes off No. 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 15, 2023
