ST. ANDREWS, Scotland: England’s Tyrrell Hatton celebrated a maiden European Tour victory and the likelihood of a first US Masters appearance next year with a comfortable four-stroke win in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews on Sunday.
Hatton, who turns 25 later this week, posted a final round 66 for a tournament record-equalling low of 23-under par and in relatively calm conditions on the famed Old Course.
It was Hatton’s 83rd European Tour event and he became the 15th different winner in the 16-year history of the Scottish tournament.
However, in receiving the 711,073 euros ($800,000; £612,547) first-prize cheque, Hatton spoke of dreaming of his first pro career triumph since being taken by his father, Jeff, to the 1997 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in Surrey, southwest of London, and a 30-minute drive from the family home at Marlow
“Ever since I was a six-year-old, when my dad took me to Wentworth, I’ve dreamt of this day,” he said.
“My dad has also been my coach since I was 11 years of age, so I have to say a big thank you to him as he’s helped me so much, and he’s got an indoor golf studio back home in Marlow.
“Without his input it would have been impossible for me to be standing here now with this trophy.”
Hatton kick-started his season by finishing runner-up in July’s Scottish Open before then sharing fifth place a week later in his first appearance in the British Open.
“My second-place result in the Scottish Open was an important week, as it not only got me into my first Open a week later but also two weeks later into the PGA Championship,” he said.
“That result just kick-started my good run of events.
“Also I was 53rd in the world coming into this week and I’ve been told, should I move to No. 35, and if I can stay inside the top-50 by the end of the year, that then means playing in my first Masters next April.
“So I’m very excited at that prospect as it would fantastic but more importantly I want to improve my ranking in what events I have left this season.”
South Africa’s Richard Sterne (66) and England’s Ross Fisher (67) shared second place on 19-under par, while double Major-winner Martin Kaymer, the 2010 Dunhill champion, could only manage a 69 to finish sixth at 15-under par.
There was some joy for reigning US Masters champion, Danny Willett after an indifferent fortnight either side of the Atlantic for the Englishman.
Willett, who had badly missed the cut over the opening three rounds, teamed with his regular caddy and amateur partner, Jonathan Smart, to post a combined 12-under par 60 over the last day and win the pro/amateur prize by a shot at 30-under par.
Smart had caddied when Willett won at Augusta and to celebrate Willett’s win had worn his ‘Augusta National’ white boiler suit to greet workers at his parents’ security business in Yorkshire.
“I have to thank John as he carried me all week,” said Willett, a member of the Europe team that lost away to the United States in the Ryder Cup.
Willett, in the absence of nearest rivals Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy, remained top of the Race to Dubai money list, while Hatton has moved up from ninth to fourth place.
Hatton’s dream comes true with Dunhill victory
Hatton’s dream comes true with Dunhill victory
Mickael Barzalona claims a treble on Saudi Cup opening day
- The French jockey secures the International Jockeys Challenge crown with two victories in the series, as well as success in the Saudi International Handicap
RIYADH: Mickael Barzalona emerged as the standout performer on the opening day of the 2026 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Friday, securing three victories and the International Jockeys Challenge title.
And with the majority of victorious trainers on opening day hailing from Saudi Arabia, the depth of local expertise in the Kingdom was on full display.
The action began with the Fillies Mile, in which Nawaf Almudiani guided Teduom to a $125,000 victory, beating Tobah by 1¾ lengths.
The prize money increased as the day progressed, with each of the four International Jockeys Challenge races awarding $200,000 to the winner.
Hay Nebaha, ridden by Saffie Osborne and trained by Bader Rizaiq for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons, claimed Race 1 of the 0-95 contest over 1,600 meters in 1:39.728, defeating the higher-rated Saebout by 4¾ lengths.
Race 2 went to Abeyyah, who edged Makthorh by half a length in 1:26.81 under jockey Nina Baltromei, marking second consecutive victory for trainer Rizaiq in the series.
Barzalona began his surge in Race 3 of the Challenge series aboard Praetorian, delivering a six-length triumph in 1:09.719 for trainer Ahmed Abdulwahed and owner Abdulelah Abdulaziz Almousa, which would be the widest winning margin of the series.
The French jockey then clinched the International Jockeys Challenge championship in Race 4, guiding Year Of The Dragon to victory by a neck in 2:10.043 for trainer Mohammed Alhirabi and Arab stable.
Barzalona added his third victory of the day in the Saudi International Handicap (90-110) Presented by Lucid, as he steered Gran Descans to a three-quarter-length win for trainer Saad Aljenade, landing King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Sons the $300,000 prize.
Other highlights included a Sarawat Cup victory for Almad’agi in 1:13.67 under Adel Alfouraidi, as trainer Abdulwahed and owner Almousa claimed their second win of the evening.
The day concluded with RB Kingmaker taking the $900,000 Al-Mneefah Cup by half a length for jockey Cristian Demuro and trainers Helal and Tahnon Al-Alawi.
Faisal Sultan, the president of Electric vehicle maker Lucid Middle East, welcomed his company’s partnership with the Saudi Cup.
“This is the right place to be,” he said. “The Saudi Cup has the right clientele, the right atmosphere, and positivity that aligns with our products.”
As he presented the Saudi International Handicap trophy to Gran Descans, Sultan highlighted the factors that make Lucid a perfect partner for horse racing: “We have one of the fastest-charging vehicles in the world and one of the fastest vehicles in the world. Lucid and horse racing — it’s a match made in heaven.”
Sultan added that the “Made in Saudi” designation awarded to Lucid in January last year reflected the company’s sense of national pride.
“We are highly dependent on Saudi talent and continue to train and expand that presence,” he said. “We aim to support sustainable initiatives and contribute towards Vision 2030.”
Racing continues on Saturday, with the event culminating in feature race the $20 million Saudi Cup at 8:40pm.
