Tip of the Hat to Tyrrell as PGA winner is a top-ten hit
TYRRELL Hatton admitted it felt ‘amazing’ to seal victory in the PGA Championship at Wentworth, writes Nick Metcalfe.
Hatton carded a closing round of 67 yesterday to win his fifth European Tour title, finishing on 19 under par, four ahead of Frenchman Victor Perez.
Not only is Hatton celebrating victory in European golf’s flagship event, he has also broken into the world’s top ten for the first time.
The Englishman, whose decision to play wearing a hoodie this week – and subsequent defence of his sartorial choice – made as many headlines as his golf, said: ‘It’s unbelievable. It was a goal of mine to win this tournament.
‘Part of me is sad I didn’t get to experience the crowds but it’s just amazing to win this trophy. I struggled with rhythm all day, so to get over the line and grind it out like that, I’m absolutely delighted. To break into the top ten in the world is incredible.’
Hatton saw his three-shot overnight lead wiped out in the space of four holes as Perez birdied the second and eagled the fourth. But a birdie on the fifth edged Hatton back in front and
14 Under par winning score for South Korea’s Sei-young Kim, who made a superb 63 to claim her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. Kim finished five ahead of Inbee Park
although Perez quickly responded with a birdie on the seventh, Hatton rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the ninth to move two shots clear.
The result never really looked in doubt after that, and Hatton struck a decisive blow with his fifth birdie of the day on the tough 15th. Hatton, who turns 29 on Wednesday, could enjoy a relaxed walk up 18 and managed a closing birdie four, despite a mis-hit approach he described as ‘probably the worst second shot by a winner in the history of this tournament’.
Patrick Reed eagled 18 to end in a tie for third on 14 under with Andy Sullivan, whose 65 was the day’s best. Ian Poulter made a closing 68 to finish fifth on 13 under. Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood ended nine under.