Patrick Reed wins Hero's Challenge

Patrick Reed won the Hero Challenge champion, after defeating Tyrrell Hatton in a tight final at Dundonald Links ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Patrick Reed won the Hero Challenge champion, after defeating Tyrrell Hatton in a tight final at Dundonald Links ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Over 3,500 fans packed around the specially constructed par three on the 18th hole, as eight of the stars of this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open contested in the one–hole knockout contest.

Reed won after three head–to–head rounds, beating a field that included The Open Champion Henrik Stenson, reigning Hero Challenge Champion Alex Levy, local favourite Russell Knox, world number 18 Matt Kuchar, India’s Anirban Lahiri and two–time European Tour winner Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Reed and Hatton struck fine tee shots as they faced off in the final. Hatton looked confident after hitting his shot to within ten feet, but Reed went even better, with a shot measured at four feet seven inches from the pin, and he claimed victory after Hatton failed to hole his putt.

Reed said: “Any time you can hit some quality golf shots and have some fun with the fans is always a lot of fun. Playing against some of my fellow Ryder Cuppers made it feel like 2016 all over again.”

Vernon Kay and Kirsty Gallacher were the presenters, and there was also a celebrity nearest the pin shoot out, with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden emerging victorious over BBC breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty, actor James Nesbitt and former Scotland rugby player and Strictly Come Dancing star Thom Evans.

The Hero Challenge made its debut at last year’s British Masters supported by Sky Sports, as Frenchman Levy triumphed in the sudden-death shoot-out hole under floodlights and in front of 3,000 fans.

The Hero Challenge has returned with three outings in 2017, firstly at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, before returning to the British Masters at Close House and then finishing at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Related:

Tee times and pairings for day one of the Scottish Open