Tyrrell Hatton has made historical past after turning into the primary ever three-time winner of the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship.
The 32-year-old began his love affair with the occasion when he claimed his first title in 2016 earlier than efficiently defending his crown 12 months later, however a two below par spherical of 70 in the present day earned him a spot within the historical past books.
Hatton, now a seven-time winner on the DP World Tour, went toe-to-toe with Nicolas Colsaerts on the Previous Course St Andrews earlier than a closing birdie noticed him attain 24 below and end one away from his Belgian rival.
Hatton had equalled the course file with a 61 on Saturday to earn a one-shot lead, which inflated to 3 after 4 birdies by way of his first 11 holes.
Successful on the Residence of Golf is rarely straightforward, and the three-time Ryder Cup participant needed to dig deep after dropping three photographs in two holes with a bogey on the 14th following a double bogey on the thirteenth.
Colsaerts birdied the subsequent, that means the main duo had been tied at 23 below with three holes to play and went shot for shot by way of the subsequent two, leaving the future of the championship all right down to the well-known par-4 18th.
Each gamers drove their tee photographs simply wanting the inexperienced, with Hatton clipping a wonderful chip to 2 ft whereas Colsaerts may solely putt from off the inexperienced to eight ft. The Belgian then noticed his birdie putt slide by, leaving Hatton to faucet in for a closing three and a well-known win.
Tommy Fleetwood posted a closing 67 to complete third on 21 below, with Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, David Puig and Robin Williams sharing fourth on 19 below.
VITAL RANKING POINTS
Hatton and his dad Jeff completed second within the crew occasion, ending. two photographs behind Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Irish businessman Dermot Desmond, who triumphed on 48 below par after carding a better-ball 13 below par spherical of 59 within the ultimate spherical.
Hatton stated: “Initially of the week, my aim was to attempt to win the event, so to be sitting right here subsequent to the trophy once more feels nice. It’s additionally been superior taking part in with my dad this week. That is the third time we’ve been in a position to play this event collectively, and I feel lastly this yr my dad type of settled down and he really performed some good golf, which was good to see. That’s the primary time that I’ve gained with my dad at a event and that makes it much more particular.”
“My final win on the DP World Tour was Abu Dhabi 2021, in order that was a very long time in the past. And I knew once I got here again to play the British Masters and the Spanish Open final week, that I actually wished to earn sufficient factors to have the ability to play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from a world rating factors perspective, and a Ryder Cup factors perspective.
“I’ve been lucky to play the DP World Tour Championship yearly that I’ve had my tour card. Successful in the present day secures my spot there. I’m actually excited that I can compete in these two occasions on the again finish of the yr.”
