Dunhill leader Hatton poised to match Wood’s Euro Tour feat

ST. ANDREWS (Scotland):

Tyrrell Hatton of England is on course to become the first golfer since Tiger Woods 11 years ago to win the same European Tour event three years running.

Hatton shot a six-under 66 in the third round at St. Andrews, one of three courses being used at the Dunhill Links Championship, to open a one-stroke lead with a 14-under total of 202 on Saturday.

Marcus Fraser of Australia was his nearest challenger after a 67 at Kingsbarns.

Former Dunhill Links winner Stephen Gallacher ( 66) and Hatton’s European Ryder Cup teammate, Tommy Fleetwood (67), were in joint third place, two shots further back, on 11-under.

Fourteen-times Major champion Woods was the last player to win the same European Tour event three successive times when, in 2007, he completed a hattrick of titles at the WGCChampionship and the WGCInvitational.

Nick Faldo is the only Englishman to have previously achieved the feat after winning the Irish Open from 199193.

“To join that club would be so special,” Hatton said.

“It was pretty cold this morning and I was struggling to warm up. We’re in a good position going into the final day and that’s all we can ask for.”

In Napa, California: Brandt Snedeker birdied the final three holes to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Safeway Open.

Snedeker finished with a three-under 69 to get to 16-under 200 on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa on Saturday. He won the Wyndham Championship in August, opening with a 59 en route to his ninth PGA Tour title.

Kevin Tway was second after a 68.

Im Sung-jae (69) was 12-under and Bill Haas (67) followed at 11-under.

Phil Mickelson, tied for second entering the round, had a 74 to drop into a tie for 15th at eight-under.

Fred Couples also was eight-under after a 70 in his final regular PGA Tour start. The 59-year-old Hall of Famer played the first two rounds with Snedeker, shooting a 65 on Friday.