Dubai Desert Classic: Tyrrell Hatton holds off Daniel Hillier to win
England’s Tyrrell Hatton kept his composure on the final hole to beat Daniel Hillier by one shot to win the Dubai Desert Classic.
Hatton held a two-shot lead over Hillier on the 18th hole, but the New Zealander’s birdie from a one-shot lead on Sunday allowed the Briton to win with a tricky par putt.
The 33-year-old did just that, shooting a 3-under 69 and a 15-under total to capture his eighth DP Tour title on the trip to Dubai Jumped to the top of the rankings.
“I was nervous on the back nine and was a bit ragged at the end,” he told Sky Sports.
“But it feels great. I said earlier in the week that this is an event you want to have on your resume, so to add my name to that amazing list of winners is a dream come true. “
Hatton and Hillier both dropped a shot on the first hole, but the Englishman quickly birdied the next hole and continued to hit holes 5 and 6 to take the lead.
Hillier birdied Nos. 10 and 11 to put himself one shot behind, but on the next shot Hatton birdied No. 16 to put the Ryder Cup player The players took control.
Hillier shot 1-under 71 to reach 14-under, one shot ahead of England’s Laurie Canter and four-time Northern Ireland champion Rory McIlroy. McIlroy fought back again with five birdies on the back nine and a final 66.
