Caddies show their value in wins on the PGA Tour

Matt Fitzpatrick won a thriller at the RBC Heritage in a playoff against Scottie Scheffler. On the 18th hole, from 204 yards into a stiff wind, Fitzpatrick hit 4-iron at the flag (OK, he says he slightly pulled it) that cleared the bunker and rolled out to 13 feet for the winning birdie. The 18th hole Sunday was the first time all week he hit 4-iron, and only the second time he had the club in his bag (he didn’t use it on Thursday).

That it was there for him was due to his caddie, Daniel Parratt, because the wind was in the opposite direction from the previous three rounds. “Great planning from Dan,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just so aware of what’s going on with the wind even before we tee off and stuff.

But I knew after the one in regulation (from a waste area), I had basically hit it as well as I could, and then in the fairway it was the same story. “I knew I could just hit it. Fortunately, I hit a great shot.

” Jon Rahm had been in a mood during his pedestrian performance in the Masters (tie for 38th), and during the early days of LIV Golf Mexico City he had no interest in sharing what part of his game had cost him. But after closing with a 64 for a six-shot victory, he mentioned a session at Augusta National the previous week with caddie Adam Hayes. “Adam and I nearly got in a heated argument on Saturday on the putting green at Augusta when he was trying to explain something and I wasn’t fully understanding,” Rahm said.