Hatton wins a six-man playoff

Tyrell Hatton has emerged winner of a six-man playoff in Turkish Airlines Airlines Open, under the floodlights. The title would be Hatton’s second in the Rolex Series. Hatton went into the game with five other men, who all finished under 20 in their last game, competing to win the title and the $2 million prize. This game would be the first time the Floodlights at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya.

The Englishman scaled past Matthias Schwab, winning at the fourth extra hole, after a bogey by Schwab. The other four men competing were Kurt Kitayama, Erik van Rooyen, Victor Perez, and Benjamin Herbert. Kitayama went off after three holes, even after starting the game with a birdie, while Herbert and Perez, both Frenchmen, were out at the first extra hole.

Sunday’s victory would be Hatton’s fourth European title and also his first title since winning the Italian Open in 2017, ending his two years of not winning an award. The win also moves his position in the Race to Dubai to sixth.

Hatton made a bogey after missing a putt at the fourth hole. This would have seen him lose out of the title had Schwab not also made a similar mistake. It was the mistake by Schwab that handed Hatton his win.

The win is a remarkable one for Hatton in so many ways. He entered the competition, complaining of a wrist pain which could have impaired his play in the event. However, he overcame that, making very wonderful putts, and even winning the event. Speaking after the game, Hatton expressed his surprise at his win, not believing he could have won it and also explaining what he has been up to in the preceding months before this competition. With this victory, Hatton is sure of having a spot in the top 50 of the OWGR before the year runs out.

Written by: Leon Osamor