Bjerregaard benefits as Hatton’s hat-trick bid collapses at St Andrews
What happened at the Dunhill Links Championship?
It was a day of true links conditions on the final day of the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, where Lucas Bjerregaard triumphed for the second time in his career as Tyrrell Hatton saw his chances of a second successful title defence blown away.
It was a tightly packed leaderboard through 54 holes in Scotland and, with poor weather forecast for the afternoon, the final round began with a shotgun start at 8.30am.
Hatton, a winner here in 2016 and ’17, held a one-shot lead overnight and that lead was stretched to five by the turn thanks to four straight birdies from the 3rd.
But back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11 then 15 and 16 meant he signed for a level-par 72 and finished the week on 14-under-par, level with Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood.
It wasn’t enough to catch Bjerregaard, who had sealed the clubhouse lead thanks to a low-round-of-the-day 67 which included six birdies and a solitary bogey over the Old Course.
Fleetwood only dropped one shot in his final round and had the chance to force a play-off with eagle at 18. However, the elements were too much for the Englishman and, having found the green with his drive, then three-putted the final hole for the second day in a row.
For Bjerregard, though, a second European Tour win having made his breakthrough almost exactly a year ago at the Portugal Masters.
Talking Point
What a couple of weeks it’s been for Danish golf. In Paris seven days ago Thorbjorn Olesen thrashed Jordan Spieth in the Ryder Cup singles to earn his first ever point for Team Europe, led by mentor Thomas Bjorn.
“I was so delighted for Thomas and I was definitely inspired,” Bjerregaard said after his win. “I definitely want to make that team some day.”
This season has been a series of close calls for Bjerregaard, who has finished in the top 10 in three of his four last events, including losing out in a play-off with Matthew Fitzpatrick at the Omega European Masters.
Full Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard
Best Quote
An emotional @LBjerregaard on his #DunhillLinks win. pic.twitter.com/peit8WxOGi
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2018
Best Moments
Win at the Old Course ✔️#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/lMZyhnN7CM
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2018
All yours, Lucas.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/GmPe18873J
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2018
✅ 5-under in 40mph wind
✅ 2nd @EuropeanTour title
✅ A win at The Home of Golf.@LBjerregaard is the 2018 #DunhillLinks champion. Incredible golf ??: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iVpic.twitter.com/OH0akfEsMI
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 7, 2018
Massive.
Bjerregaard goes two clear. One hole left.https://t.co/ZVzsMEjkIp pic.twitter.com/FL9h4GFGBt
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2018
Great Dane ??
The gap is one, as Bjerregaard hits 15 under.https://t.co/ZVzsMEjkIp pic.twitter.com/uKc7pQJn5m
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2018
.@TommyFleetwood1 stripe show at The Home of Golf ?.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/OxrKFQFKi4
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 7, 2018
? 40mph winds
⏰ 8:30 Tee TimesWill the tough conditions be a good thing for @TommyFleetwood1 He’s 3 behind Hatton in Scotland. #DunhillLinks
Scores ?: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iV pic.twitter.com/bZ2xhmIBks
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 7, 2018
It’s very close @dunhilllinks:
??????? -14 Hatton
?? -13 Fraser
??????? -12 Fleetwood
?? -11 Bjerregaard
??????? -11 GallacherFinal-round underway?: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iVpic.twitter.com/m4LicRtzNG
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 7, 2018
A ninth sub-70 round in his last 11 at the #DunhillLinks.
Good knock, @TyrrellHatton ?? pic.twitter.com/02ohytUrZc
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 6, 2018
Last week: @rydercup
This week: @dunhilllinksDon’t worry @TommyFleetwood1’s game is still ?. He even left some shots out at the Old Course! #DunhillLinks
Scores ?: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iV pic.twitter.com/rw25EHjvR3
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 6, 2018
How much easier was today?
Just ask co-leader @LBjerregaard.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/K2ZeXpdrgv
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2018
Think @TommyFleetwood1 is still hungover? Nope..
• Birdie
• Birdie
• Birdie
• Par
• Birdie
• Par
• Par
• Birdie
• ParOut in 31 at the Old Course ?: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iVpic.twitter.com/e5Gl6XPuBb
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 6, 2018
.@TommyFleetwood1’s (-5) last 6 rounds at Carnoustie:
67, 72, 65, 71, 73, 63
Solid form ?. #DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/tOkzxXKFc2
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 5, 2018
Another sub-70 round at the #DunhillLinks.
8 of @TyrrellHatton's last 10 rounds here have been in the 60s ?? pic.twitter.com/8ua8nnFWV0
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2018
Eagle for Fleetwood.
On the charge…#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/h13j2lXJNI
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2018
⚪️ Half-swing
⚪️ Tap
? BOMBAveraging 315 yards off-the-tee @tonyfinaugolf only bombs driver ?.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/O6JOOlswqx
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 5, 2018
“It’s just a tough track.” ?
.@stevieggolf gives his thoughts on how Carnoustie will play today. #DunhillLinks.
Scores ?: https://t.co/uwVhSdywUl pic.twitter.com/Tq02ZUTWO5
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 5, 2018
Different year, same @TyrrellHatton.
The defending champ moves one ahead with an eagle ?https://t.co/ZVzsMEjkIp pic.twitter.com/0Yvixj0c7R
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2018
The Open ? #DunhillLinks.
What’s it like playing Carnoustie 4 months on – with @TommyFleetwood1.
Scores ?: https://t.co/uwVhSdQ8iV pic.twitter.com/GtJaSTAQIZ
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 5, 2018
Tommy’s back at Carnoustie with his Open merchandise ☂️ #DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/1I3pVsBkkP
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2018
Tommy Fleetwood on the links ?.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/DaWURi7hiF
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 5, 2018
.@BKoepka + Kingsbarns = ?.#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/aIEkIbAtLP
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 4, 2018
St Andrews is looking ?.
Day 1 of the @dunhilllinks championship is underway! ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/A2ZV19fw97
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 4, 2018
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
