Young Englishmen battle it out in Final Series in Dubai
With just a few holes to go, it looked as if Tyrrell Hatton had it in the bag. Even though he only led by one stroke and was beginning to look a bit twitchy on the greens, luck appeared to be on his side. It was surely his destiny – to walk away with the lion’s share of the 8 million dollar prize-money in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the European Tour’s prestigious grand finale (17-20 November).
Nerves were probably beginning to jangle on the 16th. He was 17-under par when he struck a poor approach-shot to the green, yet his ball somehow managed to scrape onto the putting surface. With a huge sigh of relief, Hatton laughed and exclaimed, “Oh, my god!” Alas, he didn’t cash in on his good fortune. Instead of a birdie, he walked off with a par. No real damage done, but it was definitely a missed chance.
On the 17th, the 25-year old Brit from High Wycombe, flew his ball into the greenside bunker. The tight pin-position at the 195-yard, par three called for some serious course management. Tyrrell’s strategy was to simply chip the ball within the bunker in the direction of the flag, and so leave himself a perfect lie in the sand for his next shot. As cool as a cucumber, Hatton then holed-out from the bunker to save par! The crowds roared with delight. They had already been witness all week to a wonderful display of golf from a host of different European players, all jostling for the prestigious title and the almost obscene amount of prizemoney on offer, not to mention the 5 million dollar bonus pool for the top-ten players. Things were really hotting-up in the climax of the Race to Dubai.
Molinari and Garcia take the halfway lead
Englishman Lee Westwood opened with a 6-under par 66 at the Jumeirah Golf Estates course in Dubai to set the pace on day one. Francesco Molinari from Italy and Spain’s Sergio Garcia then surged to the top of the pack after 36 holes, both having shot 68-67 to get to 9-under. Westwood was one shot adrift. Tyrell Hatton was in a four-way tie for fourth spot along with, among others, Dutchman Joost Luiten on 7-under. With no halfway-cut in this event, everyone in the 60-strong field of Europe’s finest golfers would be around for the weekend.
It was Frenchman Victor Dubuisson who had the honour of being tournament leader on the final day of play. After opening with rounds of 70-69, the Ryder Cup player carded a 64 on Saturday. An impressive round which included an eagle at the 5th, seven birdies and one bogey to get him to 13-under. The long-hitting Belgian, Nicolas Colsaerts, Tyrrell Hatton and another Englishman, 22-year old Matthew Fitzpatrick, were tucked-in close behind, just one shot astray.
Fitzpatrick made an early move on Sunday by making birdies at the second and third holes to take the lead. Hatton replied with his own back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth. A birdie-studded tussle followed. Fitzpatrick was not deterred after dropping a shot at the tenth, he bounced back with two more consecutive birdies. The Ryder Cup debutant was showing signs of tenacity way beyond his tender age.
Back to Hatton’s bunker-save at the 17th. After hearing the cheers, the final group must surely have thought the leader had made birdie to move two ahead of them. He was smiling from ear-to-ear and carrying his own bag to the next tee after that. Perhaps it was a fun bet with his caddie? Whatever, it was an ideal way to relieve any tension before heading-up the final hole.
Watery grave for Colsaerts
Colsaerts also had his adventures at the par three. At 14-under par, he was still in the mix with two holes to go. After a miscued tee-shot at the 17th, he had some good fortune. His ball lay nestled on the bank, not quite in the water. But a few moments and a fluffed chip shot later, the Belgian saw his ball roll back into the wet stuff. Colsaerts was now out of the running.
Hatton takes the plunge
There is a water-hazard that meanders down the fairway at the par-five 18th like a poisonous snake awaiting its prey. It was here that Hatton’s drive took a plunge. After a penalty drop, he then played his third shot to just outside the green, in the fluffy stuff. Playing partner, Rafa Cabrera Bello, who also made his debut in the Ryder Cup this year, suffered the same water fate from the tee yet produced a magnificent shot onto the green to set himself up for a birdie chance. Alas, the Spaniard’s putt slipped past the hole. He eventually had to sign for twelve strokes more than Saturday’s magical 63.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work in the gym for a few extra yards!”
– Matthew Fitzpatrick
Hatton nearly chipped-in for birdie down the last but the ball just kept on rolling. The Englishman now had the most important putt of his career. This putt of 6-7 feet or more was absolutely crucial. He needed this putt to remain at 17-under par. Should Hatton make his par and Fitzpatrick a birdie at the final hole, then there would be an all-England play off. Hatton made a nervous stroke at the ball and missed the hole. Horror of horrors, he carded a bogey-six to slip back to 16-under. End of dream? Possibly. But it wasn’t all over yet. Fitzpatrick, also on the same score, still needed to finish the 18th.
The Sheffield lad, who showed his grit in the Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine in October, had been strutting his stuff at the 17th, where he very nearly holed his bunker shot. A tap-in for par and the rising star was ready to take on Hatton down the last. He had, without doubt, witnessed Hatton’s demise here and knew what he needed to do.
Playing with a long-iron for his second shot, he took aim for the bunker to the right of the green. Every amateur golfer watching must have surely thought the sun had got to him. But young Matt knew exactly what he was doing. He reckoned that his bunker play was his biggest asset. And his unusual strategy paid off.
After splashing out of the greenside bunker with the greatest finesse, he polished off the putt with nerves of steel for birdie to get to 17- under par and secure victory by one stroke. Simply awesome! The mark of a true and great champion. Yet he performed with such ease that you might be forgiven for thinking he was playing in the Club Championship back in Sheffield rather than the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The final event in the final series! Only once the ball reached the bottom of the hole did he show his true feelings. The 22-year old burst into the most almighty grin. Flushed with excitement and a victorious glow.
“I putted out of my shoes this week!”
– Matthew Fitzpatrick
Once his card had been duly checked, checked and double-checked, he appeared for the prize-giving. Still with that rosy smile stretching from ear to ear, Matthew Fitzpatrick received enthusiastic hugs and handshakes from many of his European Tour colleagues before being presented with the impressive trophy. This victory in Dubai is his second triumph this season having won the Nordea Masters in June. It has also earned him his biggest pay cheque ever: €1,217,174. What is more, it moves him up to 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking. This new-born star just keeps on rising.
Absolutely brilliant, Matt! Many congratulations!
Wendy Hoad
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MAIN PICTURE: A jubilant Matthew Fitzpatrick holing the winning putt in Dubai. BELOW: Tyrrell Hatton, Victor Dubuisson, Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts, Lee Westwood.