Tyrrell Hatton beats Rory McIlroy, others to historic course record at St. Andrews Old Course
Tyrrell Hatton matched the course record of Ross Fisher at the St. Andrews Old Course after he shot 61 in the third round. He leads the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship table, including Rory McIlroy, after the Saturday round with a total score of 22-under.
Hatton has been consistent since the first day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He shot seven birdies in the first round to score 65, followed by three birdies and one eagle in the second round to finish at 65. The golfer shot nine birdies in the third round to finish at 61.
Hatton also leads the team event with his father, Jeff, and the pair’s total score is 38-under. The duo shot nine birdies in the first round, along with an eagle to finish at 61. They shot three birdies and four eagles in the second round to land at 62. Following that, they scored 13 birdies in the third round to end up at 55.
Hatton won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship two times already. He won the tournament in 2016 and 2017 and had two runner-up finishes.
Tyrrell Hatton shares his thought process after third-round at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Tyrrell Hatton revealed that he was trying to make as many birdies as he could at the event, which is taking place from October 3 to 6. He said, via DP World Tour:
“I was just taking each hole as it came and just trying to make as many birdies as I could…I had actually shot ten under here before. I can't remember if it was 2016, the year that I won…So yeah, I really wanted to birdie the last. That's actually my lowest round on Tour as well. Felt like I was trying harder than I normally would for a putt on the last. Good putt and thankfully it went in. It was a cool day,” Hatton said.
He added, “This is the third time I've played with my dad in this event. We had not made the cut until now in the team event…I'm sure he's excited for tomorrow, although a bit scared, and he'll be pretty tired, I'm sure…Four rounds of golf in four days is a lot of work, especially for my dad…So yeah, it will be fun. I'm excited to give it my best. I know I'm capable of winning around here, and ultimately I'll just try my best each time and see how we go.”
Tyrrell Hatton will tee off for the third round with Nicolas Colsaerts and they'll start to play at 6:33 am ET on the first tee.