Hatton tames the Old Course at St Andrews to win Alfred Dunhill Links Trophy

Tyrrell Hatton produced one of the best final 36 holes ever seen on the Old Course at St Andrews to lift the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title on Sunday, his first European Tour title.

The Marlow golfer, who’s been threatening a big win on the tour for a few years now, did it in some style too, blowing away his rivals over the final two days play by carding 18 pars, 17 birdies and just one bogey. It meant that walking down the famous final hole, he had the title – and that massive silver trophy – in the bag barring a meltdown of Jean van de Velde proportions.

The 24-year-old finished on 23 under par, four shots clear of South African Richard Sterne and England’s Ross Fisher. He carded a six-under-par 66 on the Sunday to keep his rivals at bay after having equalled the Old Course record with a brilliant 62 on Saturday.

His score matched the best in the event’s 16-year history and the £640,380 he’ll pocket takes his season’s prize money to around the £2m mark. It also lifts him to 33rd in the world, all but guaranteeing him a spot at next year’s Masters, and he’s charged up to fourth in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai order of merit.

It’s been a breakthrough year for the former Great Marlow School pupil who finished second at the Scottish Open in Inverness before tying for fifth at The Open at Royal Troon the following Sunday

“It’s a dream come true,” Hatton told BBC Sport.

“To do it here is fantastic. I’m just over the moon that I got over the line. There have been a few experiences this year when I have been in the final group.

“Wentworth was a big one where I didn’t have any patience. I wanted a quick start but didn’t get that and got down on myself.

“It was a new experience today going out leading but I knew I just had to stay patient and play my own game.”

Dad Jeff, who taught his son to play the game, added: “He’s been very consistent this year. And that’s the key to being successful. You can’t have too many bad weeks. Obviously we’re over the moon. He thoroughly deserves it.

“And it’s not like somebody lost it and handed it to him. He played the best golf all week. We always felt he could win but you’ve still got to go out there and get over the line and everything came together over four days and three courses.

“It’s a fantastic win.”