Shades of genius from Hatton
ENGLISHMAN Tyrrell Hatton equalled the Old Course record at the Dunhill Links Championship yesterday. The 25-year-old from High Wycombe compiled a blemish-free 62 to establish a three-shot lead over compatriot Ross Fisher in the $5million event.
But home player Marc Warren’s third-round 67 may ultimately prove much more significant for the 35-year-old Glaswegian.
Three-time European Tour winner Warren is in danger of being forced to make an unscheduled stop at the annual qualifying school after finding himself in 125th place in the Race to Dubai.
Since his last visit in 2010, Warren has finished 55th, 33rd, 26th and 25th on the money list.
But his erratic form during the current campaign has proved costly and he needs a big finish today at the Home of Golf to banish fears of being caught up in the scramble for cards.
Warren’s two-year exemption following his victory at the 2014 Made in Denmark runs out at the end of the year and he is currently approximately £25,000 shy of safety.
But he can take solace from the fact that this tournament has been kind to his compatriots in the past, with the likes of Richie Ramsay, David Drysdale, Jamie McLeary and George Murray finding salvation at the Old Course.
While Warren (below) contemplates his great escape, Hatton is eyeing a maiden European Tour success and the top prize of £612,000 after being forced to play in the shadow of Hollywood actor Jamie Dornan.
He was perfectly happy for the Fifty Shades of Grey star to hog the limelight as it meant he could focus entirely on piecing together the finest round of his career.
He said: ‘We had big crowds and they were looking at him. Probably 99 per cent of them have not got a clue who I am, which is fine.
‘That is quite clearly the best round I have ever had. I have never actually got to double digits before but this has been a really consistent year.
‘It is not a course that has generally been too kind to me. But I putted really well and that was the big thing; just to keep the momentum going.’
Hatton came desperately close to breaking his tour duck at the Scottish Open, finishing second to Swede Alex Noren at Castle Stuart.
He was also joint fifth on his Open debut at Royal Troon a week later, so the signs are encouraging.
Fisher, who posted 69, has a one-shot cushion over Richard Sterne of South Africa (65) and Swedish player Joakim Lagergren (69). Meanwhile, three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty played his final competitive round yesterday before embarking on a full-time career as a broadcaster. And the Englishman could not have chosen a more appropriate occasion after being crowned the Dunhill champion in 2007. The 34-year-old would have preferred to have delayed his departure until today but his third round score at Carnoustie — a 73 — following 73 at Kingsbarns and 72 at the Old Course left him several shots short of making the cut.
But after 15 years as a pro, Dougherty has decided it is time to focus his attention on a full-time broadcasting career with Sky.
Although not normally given to outward shows of emotion, Dougherty was overcome on Friday afternoon when he walked off the Old Course for the last time as a competitor there.
‘I didn’t think I would get particularly emotional about it, especially with it being the second round, but it was very much the case and it was hard to keep focus, actually,’ he said.
‘For me, this place is not just about golf.
‘I got married here and as a kid I used to come to St Andrews with my mum and dad for holidays most years.
‘So it’s just been very special. It’s also been good to me in terms of winning the Dunhill.
‘It just felt like the right place to stop playing and make a commitment, rather than being a jack of all trades. I am certainly not a master at this one.
‘A few weeks ago I went out to hit a few balls and after about 15 I thought: “What am I doing?” I had no interest in it. The buzz of wanting to be a tour player is a long way down the order now.
‘I don’t miss it badly. I get much more buzz doing what I did last week for Sky at the Ryder Cup.
‘It’s time to move on and maybe that is what golf has been telling me for the last few years. My confidence is not where it used to be. I threw everything at it for a few years and didn’t get any better.’