Tyrrell Hatton is poised to make history at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he’s eyeing a third victory at the legendary St Andrews.
Hatton equalled the course record with a blistering 61 on the Old Course, putting him in the lead by a single stroke heading into the final round.
His love affair with this tournament continues, as he seeks to become the first-ever three-time winner of the event.
Having claimed titles here in both 2016 and 2017, and boasting two runner-up finishes, Hatton’s familiarity with the course and his flair for the dramatic were on full display.
He posted nine birdies and an eagle, matching Ross Fisher’s course record at St Andrews. As if that wasn’t enough, Hatton and his dad, Jeff, are also topping the leaderboard in the Team Championship, aiming to replicate Matt Fitzpatrick’s double triumph last year. If they succeed, the Hattons will achieve both individual and team victories at the “Home of Golf.”
Tyrrell Hatton: I was just taking each hole as it came and just trying to make as many birdies as I could. I really wanted to birdie the last. That’s actually my lowest round on tour, as well. Felt like I was trying harder than I normally would for a putt on the last. Good putt and thankfully it went in. It was a cool day.
This is the third time I’ve played with my dad in this event. We had not made the cut until now in the team event.
I’m sure he’s excited for tomorrow, although a bit scared, and he’ll be pretty tired, I’m sure. Four rounds of golf in four days is a lot of work, especially for my dad. It will be fun. I’m excited to give it my best. I know I’m capable of winning around here, and ultimately I’ll try my best each time and see how we go.
However, the spotlight wasn’t entirely on Hatton. Nicolas Colsaerts, Hatton’s closest competitor, had a spectacular day of his own.
The Belgian shot a stunning 65 at Kingsbarns, which featured an unforgettable albatross on the 16th hole—a jaw-dropping 223-yard six-iron shot that rolled perfectly into the cup.
Colsaerts followed it up with a birdie but then stumbled with a double bogey, allowing Hatton to swoop back in with four consecutive birdies. By the end of the day, Hatton had clinched the lead, and the excitement for the final round is sky-high.
Colsaerts’ heroics aside, other players are in the hunt too. Frenchman Tom Vaillant sits in solo third after posting a 64 at Kingsbarns, bringing him to 19 under.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen fired an incredible 61, which included 12 birdies after an opening bogey.
His performance pushes him two shots behind Vaillant as the tournament enters its climax.
As fans eagerly await the final round at St Andrews, it’s Hatton who stands on the brink of history.
With his familiarity with the course and his track record, all eyes are on him as he bids to cement his legacy at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Will he rise to the occasion once more and claim the coveted third title? Or will the magic of the Old Course deliver another unexpected twist?
