Helping hand from Dornan guided Tyrrell to win

ST ANDREWS, August 23, 2017 – Tyrrell Hatton’s victory in last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship gave him the spur his career needed to establish himself as one of the most promising young golfers in the world. His score of 23-under-par tied the lowest total in the Championship’s history and, en route to his first ever European Tour success, he also equalled the course record with a 62 at St Andrews. As he starts his preparation to defend his Alfred Dunhill Links title this autumn, Tyrrell relived those memorable four days last October.

Question: What are your thoughts now about your victory?
Tyrrell Hatton: I’d had good preparation and my game felt like it was in a really good place. I was relaxed all week and I certainly think that the format of the tournament, playing with Jamie Dornan and having fun all four days, really helped. It made me more relaxed, which is one thing that I can struggle with. It was the most relaxed I’ve ever been on a golf course when I’ve been in contention.

Question: Was the 62 at the Old Course in the third round the highlight?
Tyrrell Hatton: Yes, definitely. To equal the course record at St Andrews is pretty cool. I was very surprised when I got into the scorers’ hut and they told me. I’d never shot ten-under-par in any round before. And getting the first win is always really important. It proves that when you play to your best you can win.

Question: You are only 25, but ranked 28th in the world. When you started your career did you believe you would achieve that?
Tyrrell Hatton: After the Arnold Palmer Invitational I was up to 14th. It’s great to see my name up there in the rankings, but my goal is to keep playing the best I can, keep trying to win tournaments and the world rankings will look after themselves. You want to be in the top 50 in the world and play in the biggest tournaments. For me the next step is to try to win more tournaments.

Question: Places don’t come more historic than St Andrews to win?
Tyrrell Hatton: Yes, it certainly added to the week to equal the course record at such an iconic venue for golf. And it was nice to carry that form into the Sunday with the added pressure of leading. It was the first time I had gone into a Sunday leading, so it was a whole new experience for me. I only had one hiccup when I hit a seven-iron into the bunker on the Road Hole, up against the face. I had a five shot lead at the time and I remember thinking I could be here till it gets dark, so I was very relieved to get it out first time, take my medicine and walk off with a bogey and enjoy the walk up the last.