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It was the nerveless quality of Tyrrell Hatton’s play, rather than the histrionics, that stole the show as he held off Daniel Hillier to win the Dubai Desert Classic. 

The Englishman – spoken to by officials after unleashing on a tee box marker during his third round –  let his golf do the talking on Sunday as he claimed his fifth Rolex Series title here at the Emirates Club.

In what turned into a surprisingly tense finish, Hatton nailed a five foot par putt on the last to post a closing three-under 69 and finally edge out his persistent Kiwi playing partner Hillier by one shot.

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Hatton is now making a habit of emphatically responding to adversity, some of which is self-inflicted. He bogeyed his first hole yet responded with three birdies in next five holes. Then at the 7th, the victim of Saturday’s epic meltdown, he was fortunate to avoid the water with another misplaced tee shot.

After his ball narrowly avoid the hazard, Hatton saved par and was back on track. He reached the turn with a two shot-lead but couldn’t shake Hillier, who closed the gap with birdie on 11.

Defending champion McIlroy made five birdies in his closing nine, but left it too late and finished in a tie for fourth on minus 12.

The other prolific winner always felt like the favourite down the stretch. Hatton’s decisive blow came on the tricky par-4 16th, when he fired a wedge to two feet to guarantee birdie.

It gave Hatton breathing space, which he needed after Hillier asked one final question with a birdie of his own on the last. The 33-year-old punched the air in delight after rolling in the putt that secured the title and the £1.3million first prize.

“My hands were shaking,” Hatton said afterwards. “I was just praying I hit a good putt. This is such an iconic event. Just very happy that I’ve handled myself in a good way and was able to get over the line.”

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The victory holds huge significance for Hatton, given his determination to make the Ryder Cup team automatically come September.

He has surged up the early European standings and – on his last counting regular DP World Tour start in qualification – offered the latest compelling case why Luke Donald might not be able to without him in New York.

After claiming his third Dunhill Links crown in October, this is Hatton’s second win in last five DP World Tour starts. His other three results were third, fifth and sixth.

A month before his LIV campaign begins in Riyadh next month, Hatton’s 2025 is off to a flyer and this was further evidence of his mettle in a big Ryder Cup year.

And whatever you might say about Hatton, it certainly wasn’t boring.


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Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.

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