Chasing pack should throw plenty of birdies at Hatton

Story so far

Tyrrell Hatton is no bigger than 1-6 to win the Dunhill Links Championship, having assumed a five-shot lead going into the final round.

Hatton, a best-price 22-1 ante-post, is on course to successfully defend the title he won by four shots last year. His only European Tour triumph came in this event 12 months ago.

Hatton carded a third-round 62 at St Andrews on his way to victory last year. The Dunhill cut-makers will gather at St Andrews today for the final round. Gregory Bourdy is alone in second place, with British Masters champion Paul Dunne a further two shots adrift in third.

Ante-post 6-1 favourite Rory McIlroy made the cut on the mark, but is 14 shots behind Hatton. Shane Lowry shares 18th place, 11 off the pace.

Leaderboard

-18 Tyrrell Hatton
-13 Gregory Bourdy
-11 Paul Dunne
-10 Ross Fisher, Luke Donald
-9 Nicolas Colsaerts, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Alexander Levy, Joakim Lagergren, Bernd Ritthammer

Best prices

1-6 T Hatton, 16 G Bourdy, 22 P Dunne, 60 R Fisher, 80 L Donald, 125 bar

Today's advice

Tyrrell Hatton has the Dunhill Links Championship at his mercy and a significant buffer over the rest of the field, but this is not a prolific champion we are dealing with. Hatton has won only one tournament of any significance – this one last year – so the chasing pack will certainly not have given up yet.

Hatton's temperament is notoriously volatile and he could easily be ruffled if his advantage is dented over the front nine. Any minor setbacks are treated like the end of the world by this annoying little man, and a slow start could see him put himself under immense pressure.

With clear skies and only light breezes forecast for St Andrews today, those pursuing Hatton have every chance to throw several birdies on to their scorecard. Something in the low-60s is almost certainly required by the likes of Gregory Bourdy, Paul Dunne, Ross Fisher or Luke Donald to give Hatton a game.

Dunne, who fired a 61 to close the British Masters in spectacular fashion last Sunday, seems the most likely to upset Hatton. The Irishman is full of confidence and one of the best putters on the European Tour. He could work his way to within three or four shots of Hatton by the turn, putting the willies up the leader. Nobody has ever won back-to-back Dunhills.

Dunne looks worth a small investment for those wanting to get involved at this stage. Racing Post Sport followers are on at 33-1 ante-post and hoping this rising star can at least deliver a place.
The final duo of Hatton and Bourdy are teeing off at 11.43am UK and Ireland time, both with amateur partners in tow. Dunne, Donald and Fisher are off together 11 minutes earlier.

On an easy day at St Andrews, putting counts for more than usual, meaning Bradley Dredge may be worth a tickle as outsider for the 10.26am threeball. Dredge rolls his rock with more assurance than playing partners Marcel Siem and Martin Kaymer.

Recommendation
B Dredge
1pt 11-5 Betfred, Sky Bet