St. Andrews, Scotland …
It was ten Old Course record equalling birdies in a round of a 10-under par 62 for England’s Tyrrell Hatton playing alongside 50 Shades of Grey Hollywood heart throb, Jamie Doran.
Hatton, who turns 25 next Friday, capped his round with three in succession from his eighth and then birding the closing two to move to 17-under par and three clear of his rivals on day three of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Hatton’s effort over the Old Course that also hosted last year’s Open Championship matched a 62 recorded by three others including compatriot Paul Casey in the 2013 event.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton on his way to a course record equalling 62 on the Old Course at St. Andrews. (Photo – European Tour)
And Hatton’s effort matched his European Tour best after recording a similar 62 during last year’s but on a par 70 European Masters course in Switzerland.
“This round is clearly the best round I’ve ever had,” he said.
“I’ve never actually got to double digits under par before, so I’m very pleased with that.
“The goal now is to get a win. But then it’s been a really consistent year, and it would be nice to have a good finish to my year.”
50 Shades of Grey heart throb delights some grey-haired fans on day three of the Alfred Dunhill LInks.
The current No. 53 ranked Hatton has enjoyed six top-10s in his 17 European Tour counting events this year capped by being runner-up in July’s Scottish Open and then finishing T5th a week later in his very first Open Championship appearance.
But while Hatton was working his way to the top of the leader board in the $US 5m event all attention was on his amateur playing partner.
“It’s good fun playing with amateurs and playing alongside Jamie Doran, as there was big crowds out there all three days, so it’s all been good fun,” said Hatton.
Fellow Englishman Ross Fisher let slip his overnight one stroke advantage in adding a 69 at Carnoustie, and another of three host venues, to move to 14-under par.
Beware the former champion – double Major winning Martin Kaymer posts a 65 on day three of the Alfred Dunhill Links.
“It was a decent round of golf but then you never know what you are going to get when you turn up to Carnoustie,” he said.
“We were all hoping for Car-nicely and not Car-nasty. We got Car-nicely as it was a beautiful day to play the place.”
South African Richard Sterne (65) and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren (69), and both competing at St. Andrews, share third place on 13-under par.
The German pair of double Major winning Martin Kaymer (65) and Florian Fritsch (65) are next best in fifth spot at 12-under par and with Kaymer, who was at St. Andrews winner of the event in 2010.
“I was quite a few shots behind at the start of the day, so the main goal was to make the cut with my father as my amateur partner,” he said.
“For myself, I’m very pleased the way I played today and if I’m four or five shots behind, it’s fine. It’s going to be an interesting Sunday, any ways.”
However there will be no Sunday play after the cut was made Saturday for Masters champion, Danny Willett who continued to struggle signing for a third day 76 at St. Andrews and slumping to a share of 143rd place at four over par.
Joining him was Ryder Cup team mate, Lee Westwood who improved with a 69 after Friday’s shock 82 to end his challenge at 10-over par.
