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Overnight leader Hillier birdied the last to
put pressure on his playing partner but Hatton held his nerve to
hole his par putt from seven feet and secure the win.
“It feels amazing,” Hatton said. “I said earlier in the week,
this is one of the events that you would like to have on your
CV. It’s such an iconic event for the DP World Tour. To add my
name to the list of the amazing champions that have been before
me, and to have my name on that trophy now, it’s a dream come
true."
The Rolex Series includes a few events with elevated purses
every season. Hatton hadn't won one of these tournaments since
Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Hatton shot a 3-under 69 in the final round Sunday to finish 15
under overall to edge Hillier (71) and fellow Englishman Laurie
Canter (68) in third, another shot back.
“I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous on the back nine to
be honest," Hatton said. "I guess I just maybe wanted it a bit
too much. I knew the position I was in, and a little bit scruffy
down the last. But yeah, to see that putt go in felt amazing.
Just so happy to win.”
The 26-year-old Hillier, ranked 223rd in the world, was seeking
his first win on the European tour since his maiden victory on
the tour at the British Masters in July 2023. He hadn’t had a
top-10 finish since the Open de España in October 2023.
“It’s bittersweet, that’s for sure," he said. "Yeah, I didn’t
have my best today, obviously, but I fought hard all day, just
barely gave myself a chance down the stretch. Hats off to
Tyrrell. He was pretty solid down the stretch there. He’s class.
Well done to him.”
Rory McIlroy (66), who was seeking a third straight title at the
tournament, finished joint fourth on 12 under with Niklas
Norgaard (66) of Denmark.
Japan’s Keita Nakajima, who tied for 21st, finished with an
albatross at the par-five 18th.
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