Hatton holds off Hillier to win in Dubai

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Daniel Hillier

England’s Tyrrell Hatton held his nerve at the final hole to edge out Daniel Hillier to win the Dubai Desert Classic by one shot.

Hatton went to the 18th two shots ahead of Hillier but the New Zealander, who led by one shot going into Sunday, birdied it to leave the Englishman with a tricky par putt to win.

The 33-year-old did just that to finish with a three-under 69 and a 15-under total to secure his eighth DP Tour title and move to the top of the Race To Dubai rankings.

“I was nervous on the back nine and it was a bit scruffy at the last,” he told Sky Sports.

“But it feels amazing. I said earlier in the week that this is an event you would love to have on your CV so to add my name to list of amazing champions is a dream come true.”

Both Hatton and Hillier dropped a shot at their opening hole, but the Englishman quickly recovered with a birdie at the next and picked up shots at the fifth and sixth to edge ahead.

Hillier gave himself a chance with birdies at the 10th and 11th to move to one behind but a dropped shot at the next and a birdie at the 16th from Hatton left the Ryder Cup player in control.

Hillier’s one-under 71 left him on 14 under, one clear of England’s Laurie Canter with Northern Ireland’s four-time winner Rory McIlroy another shot back after putting in a late charge with five birdies on the back nine for a closing 66.

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