Tyrrell Hatton wins the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by 3

Tyrrell Hatton was in cruise control today as he won the Alfred Dunhill Links by three shots. But the big story of the day was Ross Fisher’s superb charge with a new course record 61.

The course record had been 62, held jointly by Victor Dubuisson (2012), George Coetzee (2012), Paul Casey (2013), Tommy Fleetwood /Louis Oosthuizen (2014), and Tyrrell Hatton (2016).

But Ross Fisher stepped up to the plate today with a magnificent round of 61.

He started out with seven birdies in his first nine holes to make the turn in 29. He then started his back nine with two pars, before birding 12, 13 and 15 to go to 11 under for the round, for a projected 61.

On the Road he hit a brilliant drive off the tee, but his second shot found the pathway to the right of the green, but had a decent lie. He chipped to within eight feet, with a beautifully weighted flop shot, and then made the putt to make par. 

His drive on the 18th made the front of the green, but rolled back into the Valley of Sin. He then had a putt for a 59 -  a putt that no one else has ever had to make. But he didn't make the putt, and ended up with a new course record 61.

Meanwhile Tyrrell Hatton was out in 31, with no dropped shots and five birdies, to give him a five shot lead. A run of four pars from the turn, before birding the 14. He then finished with four straight pars to card a three shot winning 67.

It was certainly a profitable day for Tyrrell, as he won a cheque for  E711,073.

This has been a fascinating Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in terms of giving us a marker for next year's Open and for when the Open returns to St Andrews in 2020.

Tommy Fleetwood's record breaking 63 at Carnoustie must make him a strong favourite for next year's Open, whilst clearly Tyrrell Hatton absolutely loves St Andrews. He has now won back–to–back Dunhills, which is no mean feat.

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