Tyrrell Hatton won the Dunhill Links Championship for a record third time on Sunday by making a birdie at the 18th hole on the Old Course at St. Andrews, finishing one stroke ahead of his playing partner, Nicolas Colsaerts.
Both players reached the famous last hole tied for the lead, having driven their balls just short of the green.
Colsaerts, ranked No. 695 and looking for his first win in five years after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, putted to 8 feet but missed his birdie attempt. This left the door open for Hatton, who chipped to within 4 feet. Hatton’s birdie putt went right into the center of the cup.
Playing on the LIV Golf circuit, Hatton shot a score of 2-under 70, finishing with a total of 24-under par, which ties the tournament record he previously held since 2017. He also won the Dunhill Links in 2016 and 2017.
“To do it at the home of golf is really special,” said Hatton, who will rise to 20th in the world ranking following this seventh win on the European tour. “Hard to describe to be honest. I’m at a loss for words.”
This was Hatton’s first win on the European tour since the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Colsaerts, who also shot a 70, might have done enough to secure his spot for next year on the tour with his second-place finish.
The strong Belgian was part of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team at the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012 and served as a vice-captain in Rome last year. His playing career has faced challenges after what he called “dark times” due to his kidney diagnosis.
“It kind of proves I’ve still got it,” said Colsaerts, who was ranked as low as No. 1,349 in September last year. “I feel part of the furniture — this has been my life for over 20 years now — so it looks like we’re going to go back on the merry-go-round.”
