Why the PGA Tour now only have one option after Matt Fitzpatrick incident at the RBC Heritage

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Matt Fitzpatrick won for the second time at Harbour Town Golf Links on Sunday after he defeated Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage.

The win was Fitzpatrick’s fourth on the PGA Tour and it saw him climb up to third in the world rankings.

The Englishman is in an incredible groove right now, with two wins and a runner-up finish at The Players Championship to his name already in 2026.

Fitzpatrick was a cut above the rest at the RBC Heritage and he has undoubtedly been one of the very best players on the PGA Tour so far this season.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Fitzpatrick won the RBC Heritage in a playoff for the second time after he fired a truly special four-iron into the green on the first hole of sudden death.

Scottie Scheffler could only watch on in admiration as Fitzpatrick holed his 13-foot putt for the win.

However, despite the fact that Fitzpatrick received huge praise for his win, there was plenty of criticism aimed at him during the final round on Sunday as well.

The PGA Tour’s only option after Matt Fitzpatrick incident at the RBC Heritage

Fitzpatrick was criticized heavily after his slow play at the RBC Heritage, when he took a full four minutes to hit a layup shot on a par-five.

It really was beyond a joke from the Englishman.

His slow play was incredibly tedious to watch and if anything, he made the shot more difficult for himself as he seemingly brought more indecisiveness into play.

However, the PGA Tour simply must act now.

They do have pace of play guidelines but as long as one group is keeping up with another, nothing can be done.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

That rule has to change now.

The PGA Tour must bring in player-specific shot-clocks. For instance, each player is allowed 40 seconds from when they reach their ball up until they make contact with it.

If you exceed that time-limit, you will be given an official warning and if you do it again, you will receive a one-stroke penalty.

Now tell me if I’m wrong, but would they not eradicate slow play overnight?

PGA Tour must act now following Fitzpatrick’s slow play incident

Players can’t be taking four minutes to hit any shot, let alone a layup on a par-five.

What made Fitzpatrick’s slow play even worse was the blatant hypocrisy he displayed by taking an age before hitting his second shot on the 15th at Harbour Town.

It was only four weeks ago when Fitzpatrick slammed his playing partner, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, for slow play.

The irony clearly escaped the four-time PGA Tour winner as he deliberated with his caddie for four minutes before pulling the trigger on the 15th hole on Sunday at the RBC Heritage.

Slow play has been plaguing the game for far too long.

And now is the time for the PGA Tour to step up and take action after Fitzpatrick’s shameful display of slow play at the RBC Heritage.