Home of Golf is witness to Hatton's brilliance

Tyrrell Hatton, Alfred Dunhill Links champion 2016, with the trophy on the Swilcan Bridge. Picture by John Stewart.

The manner is which Tyrrell Hatton won his first European Tour event at St Andrews was absolutely befitting the history the sport has in the town, writes Scott Inglis.

That’s not just dewy eyed, simpering sentiment directed at our local event, the facts and figures are there to back it up.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has its detractors, but from Thursday to Sunday the three courses, St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, witnessed some of the finest golf played on their historic fairways and greens.

Alex Noren set the tone on the first day when he putted brilliantly for a record-equalling eight-under-par 64 over the mighty links of Carnoustie - recognised as being the most difficult of the three courses.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and Omega European Masters winner became favourite to win the event, but couldn’t have factored for Hatton’s brilliance when the weekend’s play started.

It began on Saturday when the 24-year-old equaled the Old Course record with a 62.

A totally flawless round included ten birdies and sent him into the final round with a three shot lead over Ross Fisher.

Fisher himself has been in fine form and, on another day, could easily have been parading the trophy on the Swilken Bridge late on Sunday evening.

But in the most brutal and clinical way possible, Hatton closed out the title on the final day.

A steady couple of par 4s on the opening two holes settled any nerves.

Birdies on three, four and five ensured the remainder of the round was a formality.

Further birdies on nine, 12, 14 and 15 put the gloss on one of the finest performances seen at the Home of Golf.