2023 RBC Heritage leaderboard: Jordan Spieth aims to defend title at Harbour Town heading into Round 4

Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler highlight an impressive pack behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick

The cream started to rise to the top in the third round of the 2023 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. While 44-year-old Jimmy Walker tried his best to hold onto the lead, a few loose swings late forced his name from the top spot on the leaderboard. In his place, Matt Fitzpatrick holds the solo lead at 14 under after a career-low score in the third round.

Signing for an 8-under 63, the Englishman turned a six-stroke deficit into a one-stroke lead with 18 holes to play. A major champion already, Fitzpatrick eyes just his second career victory on the PGA Tour. Walker remains firmly in the mix, but the 2016 PGA Championship winner's name is not the one Fitzpatrick will be watching. 

Instead, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler headline the immediate chasing pack. All within just a few strokes of Fitzpatrick, this trio of Americans aim to disarm Fitzpatrick and slip on the tartan jacket. While Spieth and Cantlay met in a playoff at this tournament a season ago, Scheffler is making his debut appearance. Getting more and more familiar with the nuances of Harbour Town as play progresses, the world No. 2 hopes to grab his seventh PGA Tour title and reascend to world No. 1.

The leader

1. Matt Fitzpatrick (-14)

Between injury and poor play, it has been a rather mundane start to 2023 for the reigning U.S. Open champion. At one point missing four out of six cuts, Fitzpatrick appeared to turn a corner last week at the Masters. Gaining more than four strokes off the tee and another five on approach, the Englishman experienced his strongest ball-striking performance of the season. He has carried this momentum and it came to light in a massive manor on Saturday.

"I loved it [Harbour Town]," said Fitzpatrick. "Aside from Augusta it's my favorite golf course. It really is. I love coming here to play it. I've not had the best results around here. I've had a couple good runs and a couple poor ones, but I really enjoy the design, enjoy the test, and I think it's a great golf course."

Other contenders

2. Patrick Cantlay (-13)
3. Jordan Spieth (-12)
T4. Scottie Scheffler, Taylor Moore, Tommy Fleetwood, Jimmy Walker, Mark Hubbard (-11)
T9. Chez Reavie, Cam Davis, Hayden Buckley, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Emiliano Grillo, Xander Schauffele (-10)

The world No. 4 hasn't had a real opportunity to win since a 72nd hole blow up at the Shriners Children's Open in the fall. Despite his inability to enter the winner's circle in 2023, Cantlay has been enjoying an extremely strong statistical season, primarily in the ball striking categories. Riding a five tournament top-20 streak that includes finishes of solo third at the Genesis Invitational and T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Cantlay appears primed to grab his first win of the year at a course that has been historically kind to him.

"Just stay patient," Cantlay said of his game plan for the final round. "I've had a good track record around this golf course and had a number of chances, so should be nothing new tomorrow. I'll have a chance and I'll go out and do my best."

Spieth aims for a career first

Spieth's career has seen just about everything: Major championship victories, major collapses, epic hole outs and everything in between. However, not once has the three-time major champion successfully defended a tournament title. He entered the final round in 2022 three strokes off the lead before defeating Cantlay in a playoff to claim the title. Spieth will begin the final 18 just two off the pace with eyes on his first successful defense. If he were to do so, the Texan would join Davis Love III, Payne Stewart and Boo Weekley in a small group of back-to-back RBC Heritage winners. 

"Anytime you have a chance on a Sunday you've accomplished your goal for the week," said Speith. "Then it just becomes go out there and get it done and try to separate yourself. You know you're going to have nervous shots and pressure-packed shots, and that's where the fun is. 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."

Scheffler's milestone could be a memorable one

Making his 100th start on the PGA Tour, Scheffler has eyes on his seventh career victory. Without a single win in his first 71 tournaments, the world No. 2 has notched six since. With his torrid stretch dating back to last spring, Scheffler occupied the top two spots in the Official World Golf Rankings. With a victory in Hilton Head, he'll reclaim the top spot in the back-and-forth affair with Masters champion Jon Rahm.

2023 RBC Heritage updated odds and picks

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

• Matt Fitzpatrick: 11/5
• Patrick Cantlay: 5/2
• Jordan Spieth: 5-1
• Scottie Scheffler: 7-1
• Tommy Fleetwood: 20-1
• Taylor Moore: 28-1
• Xander Schauffele: 30-1
• Jimmy Walker: 35-1
• Mark Hubbard: 45-1
• Rickie Fowler: 45-1

Let's rock with Spieth at 5-1. Just two strokes off the pace, the Texan will be featured in the final group of threesomes that will be utilized due to weather. With the ability to see what Fitzpatrick and Cantlay are doing, Spieth should thrive in this setting. His approach play is peaking and his putter has that magical feel to it.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 5:49 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Scheffler stagnant late

That is now two birdie opportunities not to fall for Scottie Scheffler. He remains at 12 under, but the world No. 2 must be kicking himself for not inching closer to Matt Fitzpatrick. The Englishman looks to be the 54-hole leader but will have Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth nipping at his heels.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 5:21 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Walker in the water on 15

He caught a branch in the tall pine protecting the green and will be scrambling for par. After a steady front nine, Jimmy Walker has looked sketchy on the back side. He is two strokes back at 12 under and in jeopardy of playing himself out of this tournament should the mistakes persist. 

[Apr 15, 2023 at 4:57 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Spieth drops one

The defending champion dropped a shot on the windy par-3 17th. The wind off the tee fooled not only him but also Matt Fitzpatrick earlier. This will be something to keep an eye on as the final pair wraps up its third round. Jimmy Walker remains steady at 13 under with Scheffler (and Spieth) one behind at 12 all chasing Fitzy in the clubhouse.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 4:32 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Walker drops a shot, Scheffler still there

The world No. 2 added a birdie on No. 10 and remained at 12 under after a comfy par on 11. Meanwhile Jimmy Walker drops his first shot of the day and is at 13 under, one behind Fitzpatrick. Jordan Spieth continues to make in roads with another birdie on 15 to get to 12 under. Patrick Cantlay just did the same. This may be a five-horse race by day's end.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 4:03 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Final pair make the turn

Jimmy Walker has regained a share of the lead with a birdie on No. 9. Walker has acquitted himself quite nicely alongside the world No. 2 thus far. Without the sense of nerves, let's see what the back nine brings for the former PGA Champion. Jordan Spieth meanwhile inches closer with a birdie on 13 to get to 11 under.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 3:41 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Fitzpatrick absolutely rolling

It's another birdie for the Englishman as he reaches 8 under on the day and 14 under for the tournament. Before last week, Fitzpatrick was absolutely dreadful with his irons. After gaining nearly five strokes on approach at Augusta National, Fitzpatrick has continued his laser-like approach with the highlight coming today.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 3:13 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Fitzpatrick, Walker get to 13 under

The two major champions now have a three-stroke lead over the field. While Walker is only through five holes, Fitzpatrick is well into his back nine. With a par 5 ahead, the Englishman will attempt to get to roughly 15 under and post the clubhouse lead.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 2:45 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Scheffler drops a shot

After inching closer to Jimmy Walker and Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler has given a shot back on No. 3. It is playing as the most difficult hole on the golf course, but any dropped shots will see you get lapped today. There is little wind, soft conditions and ideal scoring in Hilton Head.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 2:17 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Fitzpatrick turns in 30 with share of lead

Highlighted by a hole-out eagle on the par-4 3rd, Matt Fitzpatrick has turned in 6 under and 12 under for the tournament. It has been a mildly disappointing 2023 for the Englishman, but with his neck injury behind him, he appears to be finding his former form. He will look to keep his foot on the gas.

[Apr 15, 2023 at 1:53 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Fowler gets to double digits

The five-time winner has notched three early birdies to reach 10 under. He is only two strokes off the pace of Jimmy Walker who will tee off momentarily alongside world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler.