October 10, 2016: Tyrrell Hatton sealed his maiden European Tour title on Sunday, firing seven birdies and a solitary bogey to claim a four-shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The Englishman produced a stunning third round 62 to equal the course record at St Andrews on Saturday, setting up with a healthy three shot lead, before posting an impressive final round 66 at the Old Course to finish on 23 under par.
Fellow countryman Ross Fisher and South Africa’s Richard Sterne finished in a tie for second on 19 under, with Swede Joakim Lagergren two strokes back, one shot ahead of Scot Marc Warren on 16 under.
Hatton got off to a strong start in the final round, the 24 year old rolling in his birdie putt from six feet at the third before draining a 25-foot putt at the next to pick up another shot. He dropped one shot for the day at the 17th, but was able to steady and coolly sink his par putt at the last to seal victory.
“It feels amazing. I’ve wanted this moment since I was a six-year-old walking around Wentworth. It’s incredible,” gushed a delighted Hatton.
“I was quite nervous for the majority of the round but I played really solid today and holed some good putts, and that kept the momentum going. That was key to winning this week.
“It makes it special and to do it at the Home of Golf is fantastic. Hopefully I can have a good end to the year now,” added the first time winner.
“I tried my best to put some pressure on Tyrrell but he got off to a good start and kept it going, which is good. It’s a big win and it’s going to be a special win for him here at the Old Course,” conceded second placed Richard Sterne.
Master’s champion Danny Willett and his caddie Jonathan Smart won the Team Championship at 38 under, with Adrian Meronk and Johan Eliasch one shot off the pace.
Scores
265 T Hatton (Eng) 67 70 62 66,
269 R Sterne (RSA) 69 69 65 66, R Fisher (Eng) 65 68 69 67,
271 J Lagergren (Swe) 66 68 69 68,
272 M Warren (Sco) 72 66 67 67,
273 M Kaymer (Ger) 71 68 65 69
