Time seemed to stand still in the desert, but it was all systems go for Tyrrell Hatton at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
In a finale packed with more twists than a camel’s tail, the Englishman snatched his eighth DP World Tour title—and a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series crown—after an enthralling scrap with New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier.
Sunday began with Hatton trailing Hillier by one, but the Englishman’s three-under 69 proved just enough to finish 15 under at Emirates Golf Club.
That left Hillier—who posted a 71—one agonising shot behind. Laurie Canter surged into contention at 13 under thanks to a 68, though neither he nor the rest of the pursuing pack could land the knockout blow.
At times, it felt like the leaders took pity on the rest of the field, as birdies seemed rarer than water in the desert.
Moments of optimism appeared for Hillier, Canter, Shaun Norris, Niklas Norgaard, and defending champion Rory McIlroy, but Hatton served up a brilliant wedge on the 16th that set him up for a crucial tap-in birdie.
It was a shot that mirrored the kind of precision you only see when someone’s about to do something memorable in this event.
The 18th then proved downright nerve-racking. Hatton went for the safer approach to dodge the water, leaving himself a hefty 45-foot birdie putt. Hillier, meanwhile, boldly aimed for the green in two, overshot it, but kept hope alive by sinking a nine-footer for birdie.
Hatton responded by calmly draining a testy five-footer to hoist the iconic Dallah trophy and match Jon Rahm’s haul of five Rolex Series titles.
Tyrrell Hatton: It feels amazing. I said earlier in the week, this is one of the events that you would like to have on your CV.
It’s such an iconic event for the DP World Tour. To add my name to the list of the amazing champions that have been before me, and yeah, to have my name on that trophy now, yeah, it’s a dream come true.
I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous on the back nine. I guess I just maybe wanted it a bit too much. I knew the position I was in, and a little bit scruffy down the last. But yeah, to see that putt go in felt amazing. Just so happy to win.
Like I said earlier in the week, this event and the four Majors this year are massive for me to try and earn as many points as I can to try and be an automatic qualifier (for the Ryder Cup).
This is a big step in the right direction. So happy with that, and looking forward to the rest of the year.
Over in the chasing pack, Rory McIlroy decided to put on a late show, firing a sizzling 66 to wrap up his week at 12 under.
That was good enough to tie him for fourth alongside Niklas Norgaard and keep his jaw-dropping streak alive—11 straight top-ten finishes at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a run that dates all the way back to his first win here in 2009.
If this tournament was a storybook, McIlroy’s consistency would be a recurring chapter, but this year’s spotlight belonged to Tyrrell Hatton, who shone brighter than a desert sunset with a performance for the ages.
