While winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was obviously the highlight of Tyrrell Hatton’s weekend, the victory at the Home of Golf also secured the Englishman a prize he had been chasing since the start of the season.
Hatton continued his love affair with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the weekend, going head-to-head with UAE resident Nicolas Colsaerts at St Andrews' Old Course. A closing birdie brought him to 24 under par, securing a one-shot victory and his third title at the event.
With the win, Hatton earned 837 Race to Dubai points, propelling him 67 places up the season-long standings to 16th.
This leap also secured his spot in the DP World Tour Play-offs - the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship - where Yas Links will host the top 70 golfers, with the top 50 advancing to the season-ending event at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
What makes Hatton’s qualification even more impressive is that he's spent most of this season on the LIV Golf circuit. Outside of the four Majors, the 32-year-old has played in just four DP World Tour events, yet his star quality has still secured him a place in the final two Rolex Series events despite his limited schedule.
“My last win was Abu Dhabi '21 on the DP World Tour, so that was a long time ago,” said Hatton following his triumph at the Home of Golf.
“And I knew when I came back to play the British Masters and the Spanish Open last week, that I really wanted to earn enough points to be able to play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from a World Ranking points perspective, a Ryder Cup points perspective.
“I've been fortunate to play the DP World Tour Championship every year that I've had my tour card. Winning today secures my spot there. I'm really excited that I can compete in those two events at the back end of the year.”
Having played four weeks on the bounce, Hatton will now take a break until the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, giving him the chance to attend his Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick’s wedding later this month.
His attendance had been uncertain as he initially planned to boost his Race to Dubai ranking by competing in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. However, following his impressive rise up the standings, Hatton will now skip that event.
“Actually, I was meant to be going to Fitzy's wedding the week in Spain, and I messaged him a few weeks ago and I was like, if I don't have enough points, I might not be able to go and I felt so bad about that,” he said.
“I guess I had a little extra motivation to play well.”
