In truly punishing weekend of golf in Orlando, Florida, Tyrrell Hatton held his nerve magnificently to claim a glittering reward.
The 29-year-old Englishman not only picked up his maiden US PGA Tour title, he did it in the highly coveted Arnold Palmer Invitational. And yes, he did it against a world-class field.
After the majors, the Arnold Palmer is one of the prestige events most golfers would like to win.
Hatton, now the World’s No 32 after his triumph, went into Sunday with a two-shot lead. Australia’s burly Marc Leishman was not letting him get away with anything, however.
Leishman took Hatton to the wire in a real thriller played in some of the most unforgiving conditions possible at Palmer’s famed Bay Hill Club and Lodge. In the entire weekend, only one round in the 60s was recorded.
World No 1 Rory McIlroy, an early leader, was one of the stars who suffered in the inclement conditions. A run of one-over’s in the space of five holes on Sunday effectively ended his challenge. He eventually finishing tied for fifth with a four-over 76.
Hatton three up at the turn
Hatton, the overnight leader by two, opened with a bogey but reached the turn three ahead thanks to back-to-back birdies.
He found water at 11, where a double bogey put his bid for glory back in the balance and headed to the last just one ahead of Leishman.
It was an advantage the four-time European Tour winner managed to retain. His closing 74 enabled him to finish four under for the tournament and one clear of Leishman.
“How do I feel? It’s hard to explain. It’s just an incredible feeling,” Hatton told the Golf Channel after his win.
“It was such a tough day today. I actually felt like I was kind of playing myself out of it a little bit when I made that double on 11.
When I saw the scoreboard at what I think it was the 14th green I realised I had a one or two-shot lead and I was a little bit surprised.
“But to hold on and win here at such an iconic venue, I’m just over the moon.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” ????
Congratulations on winning @APInv, @TyrrellHatton!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/DFnHL4s15G
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 8, 2020