At least the climax to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage provided a gripping finale to follow the previous week’s thrilling Masters. The past fortnight has shown why pro golf can be a very attractive sporting product.
On both occasions Scheffler banked multiple millions despite the frustration of finishing second on bogey-free weekends.
But credit Fitzpatrick for withstanding last Sunday’s charge from the American four-time major champion. Sheffield steel shone through as partisan US support brought a Ryder Cup atmosphere to Hilton Head.
“I’m paid so much money to be out there in front of those crowds,” Fitzpatrick said. “Having them chanting at you every week, it’s a great feeling.
“However, there’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that.”
Fitzpatrick had been on the receiving end of similar noise when Cameron Young hunted him down during the Players Championship in March.
He withstood even louder vitriol to grab a crucial half against a spirited DeChambeau fightback in the Bethpage Bearpit at last year’s Ryder Cup.
And after the brilliant shootout birdie that beat Scheffler for his most recent win, Fitzpatrick borrowed an analogy from his other sporting passion, football.
“It’s kind of winning away against your biggest rival,” said the avid Sheffield United fan. “Nothing to do with Scottie or the players; it’s the fans that have spurred me on there.”
It was a sporting spectacle that was well worth watching, although whether it justifies such inflated rewards is open to debate. PGA Tour purses would not be so grand had Saudi not pumped so much cash into the rival LIV tour.
Oil money has driven rampant inflation that has made millions for so many golfers, especially in the men’s game. But it has also benefitted, to an admittedly much lesser extent, the female side of the sport.
The Ladies European Tour’s PIF Global Series includes five events in three continents, with tournaments in England, Las Vegas, Seoul, Shenzhen and Riyadh where prize funds total $15m.
And this week a Texas oil giant dips into its reserves to fund the Chevron Championship in Houston, the first women’s major of the year, to the tune of $8m.
Loose change to the likes of Rahm and DeChambeau, but perhaps more realistic sums than those that have made so much noise in the men’s game in recent years?
