Tyrrell Hatton posted a record-equalling 61 on the Old Course at St Andrews to take one shot off the final round as he stepped up his bid to become the first three-time winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Hatton, who won the event in 2016 and 2017 and has recorded two runners-up finishes, continued his love affair with the unique tournament by shooting an eagle and nine birdies at the Old Course St Andrews to tie Ross Fisher’s course record.
Hatton also leads the Team Championship with father Jeff by three shots on 38, as they aim to emulate Matt Fitzpatrick’s double victory last season, when he added team honors and mum Susan to his individual victory.
Overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts was alone in second place after shooting a stunning 65 at Kingsbarns Golf Links featuring an unforgettable albatross.
Starting the day three shots off the lead after opening rounds of 65 and 68 at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns respectively, Hatton produced a bogey-best front nine to take a share of the lead after six holes.
But Belgian Colsaerts then made an albatross and birdied consecutive holes to move five clear up.
COMPLETE WITH GOODS
With a double bogey on the next hole for a 41-year-old opening the door to a chasing pack, Hatton went through it with four birdies on the spin from the 12th to move into the lead.
And Hatton finished with booming, back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th to join Fisher in the history books and take the lead into the fourth round, also at St Andrews.
The highlight of the day came from Colsaerts, with his albatross from 223 yards at Kingsbarns’ 16th. Using a six-iron, he drilled the ball into the slope behind the pin and watched as it rolled back into the cup in two on the par five.
Frenchman Tom Vaillant sits in solitary third on 19 under after a 64 at Kingsbarns, while Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen is two shots back after an impressive 11 under par 61, shooting 12 birdies behind of batting first at Kingsbarns.
Speaking after a career-low of 61 years, Hatton said: “I was taking each hole as it came and trying to make as many birdies as possible. I really wanted to make birdie one last time and I’m glad I was able to do that.
“This is the third time I have played with my father in this event. We were not done so far in the group event. I’m sure he’s excited about the future, even though he’s nervous, and he’ll be very tired, I’m sure.
“I am happy that I will give you my best tomorrow. I know I can win here, and in the end I’ll try my best and see how we go.”
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