Tyrrell Hatton made history after becoming the first three-time winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The 32-year-old fell in love with the event when he claimed his first title in 2016 before successfully defending his title 12 months later, but two under-70s today earned him a place in the history books.
Hatton, now a seven-time winner on the DP World Tour, met Nicolas Colsaerts at the Old Course at St Andrews before a closing birdie saw him reach 24 under and finish one behind his Belgian rival.
Hatton shot a course record 61 on Saturday to get one shot behind, which went up to three after four birdies through his first 11 holes.
Winning at the Home of Golf is never easy, and the three-time Ryder Cup champion had to go deep after dropping three shots in two holes with a bogey on the 14th following a double bogey on the 13th.
Colsaerts hit next, meaning the leading duo were tied at 23 under with three holes to play and shot the next two, leaving the finish of the tournament down to the famous par-4 18th.
Both players hit their tee shots just short of the green, Hatton chipping a superb chip to two feet while Colsaerts managed to get just short of the green to eight feet. The Belgian then saw his birdie putt go over, leaving Hatton to score a closing three points and a famous win.
Tommy Fleetwood posted a closing 67 to finish third at 21 under, while Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, David Puig and Robin Williams tied for fourth at 19 under.
EQUIVALENT POINTS IN THE SECTION
Hatton and his father Jeff finished second in the team event, finishing. two shots behind Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Irish businessman Dermot Desmond, who finished with a 48 under par after shooting a 13-under round of 59 in the final round.
Hatton said: “At the start of the week, my aim was to try and win the championship, so to be sitting here next to the trophy again feels good. It was also fun playing with dad this week. It’s the third time we’ve been able to play this tournament together, and I think finally this year dad settled down and actually played some good golf, which was nice to see. It’s the first time I’ve won a tournament with my dad and that makes it even more important.”
“My last win on the DP World Tour was Abu Dhabi 2021, so it was a long time ago. And I knew when I came back from playing the British Masters and the Spanish Open last week, that I really wanted to earn enough points to be able to play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from a world points point of view, and from a Ryder Cup points point of view. .
“I’ve been lucky enough to play the DP World Tour Championship every year and get my tour card. A win today secures my place there. I am very happy that I can participate in these two events at the end of the year.”
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