It was a special victory Sunday for English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick.
Moments after defeating defending champion Jordan Spieth in a thrilling three-hole playoff at this year’s RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C., the 28-year-old Fitzpatrick embraced loved ones on the course at Harbour Town Golf Links, including girlfriend Katherine Gaal.
The couple, who appeared to make their romance Instagram-official in January, posed for cozy photos against a sunset backdrop as Fitzpatrick wore the tournament’s signature tartan jacket.
Fitzpatrick and Gaal also smiled beside the golfer’s family in separate pics.
When speaking to reporters afterward, Fitzpatrick elaborated on why winning the RBC Heritage title meant so much to him as he vacationed in the area growing up.
“This one is the one that I’ve always wanted to win. [Of] any golf tournament — other than the majors, of course — there isn’t a higher one on my list than to win this one, and that’s the truth,” Fitzpatrick said, according to CNN.
“My family can tell you that, and my friends can tell you the same thing. This place is just a special place for me, and it means the world to have won it.”
Fitzpatrick, the reigning U.S. Open champion, earned $3.6 million with the win and moved up to No. 8 in the world golf rankings.
He competed at the 2023 Masters earlier this month and was joined by Gaal during the annual Par 3 contest, when she played Fitzpatrick’s caddie for the day.
A marketing manager for a software development company in New Jersey, Gaal was photographed at Augusta National with Fitzpatrick, who finished the major tied for 10th with a 4-under, according to The Sun.
Prior to that, Fitzpatrick gave Gaal a Valentine’s Day shoutout on Instagram.
“To my favourite person, happy Valentines!” he gushed in February.
