HUNGRY HATTON
Tyrrell takes control and now targets his own little bit of history on the links
TYRRELL HATTON stands on the cusp of Dunhill Links Championship history after stretching his lead to five shots yesterday.
The 25-year-old Englishman from Marlow in Buckinghamshire is striving to become the first player in the 17-year history of the $5million event to defend the title and bank combined prize money of £1.2million.
A blemish-free 65 at Kingsbarns moved Hatton to 18-under — one better than at the corresponding stage 12 months ago — ahead of Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.
Bourdy, in turn, has a two-shot advantage over Irishman Paul Dunne, who secured his maiden European Tour victory at the British Masters a week ago.
Hatton looks unstoppable after a run of 37 holes without shedding a shot since the 17th at the Old Course on Thursday.
He will no doubt also derive pleasure from having answered criticism from fellow pro Gary Evans, in a playing sense at least.
Evans was highly critical of the defending champion last weekend, telling Hatton to ‘grow up’ after he inflicted damage on Close House’s 15th green during the final round of the British Masters.
Hatton, who lashed out in frustration after letting his halfway lead slip over the final 36 holes, responded by explaining that he is a passionate individual who always tried his best to win and occasionally reacts unfavourably.
‘Nobody is perfect,’ he added, ‘but that’s not to say one way is right and another way is wrong.’
Hatton, who eventually finished tied eighth in the north-east after opening with rounds of 63 and 65, led by three at the same juncture 12 months ago after a course record-equaling 62 at St Andrews.
He then completed a four-shot victory with a 66 for a 23-under-par total for is maiden European Tour victory.
But he has had to endure a rollercoaster year since after missing the cut in all four majors, starting with the Masters where he posted scores of 80 and 78.
He began the season impressively enough with a share of 13th in Abu Dhabi, third in Dubai and 10th spot at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
He then missed several cuts before bouncing back with a share of third in the European Masters. Only Irishman Padraig Harrington has won the Dunhill twice — in 2002 and 2006 — and no player has made a successful defence of the trophy.
He said: ‘To win at the Home of Golf once is incredible. But to do it again would amazing, a dream come true, and I’ve put myself in a good position to do that.
‘In previous years I haven’t managed to score so well at Kingsbarns but I gave myself quite a few chances and the putter helped me out quite a bit, especially with a couple of crucial par saves.
‘Last year was a new experience for me leading a tournament, but I managed to do a really good job and made myself very difficult to catch.’
Former world No 1 Rory McIlroy was also in action at Kingbarns where he posted four successive birdies from the third on his way to a 68 to finish on the cut mark of four-under.
But he said after starting at the 10th and finding himself one-under with seven to play: ‘It was a bit of an up-and-down day. I had eight birdies, two bogeys and a double.
‘I did go out with the mind-set that I needed to shoot at least 68, and once I double-bogeyed the second, it was nice to bounce back.
‘I’m glad to play one more round and have another stroll around St Andrews before I call it a season.’
Marc Warren and David Drysdale are best placed of the five surviving Scots, in a share of 11th on 11-under after Richie Ramsay was forced to withdraw because of a tendon injury.