TWO-TIME CHAMPION Tyrrell Hatton tied the St Andrews course record of 61 to lead the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot heading into Sunday’s final round.
Hatton, who is seeking to become the first man to win the tournament three times, made an eagle and nine birdies on Saturday to reach 22-under par.
The Englishman also leads the pro-am team event alongside his father Jeff on 38-under.
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts sits second on the leaderboard after making an albatross at the par-five 16th at Kingsbarns on his way to a third straight 65 of the week, while Frenchman Tom Vaillant is three off the lead at 19-under.
Tom McKibbin shot a third-round 66 to move into a tie for 22nd place on 12-under par, one shot ahead of Pádraig Harrington, who shot 68 on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy, who was playing alongside his father Gerry on his 65th birthday, is a shot further back on -10 after a 68, as is Shane Lowry,
After playing one round at each of St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, those left in the field all take on the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday.
Among the amateurs taking part this year were PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls the breakaway LIV Golf series, fuelling speculation a breakthrough could be imminent in negotiations over the future of the sport.
However, they will not be in action on Sunday after their teams finished well outside the 20 pro-am teams that advance.
Meanwhile on the LET Access Series, Ireland’s Sara Byrne finished in a tie for sixth place at the Calatayud Ladies Open, four shots behind winner Ellie Gower of England.
As a Leinster fan I wish Ulster and Munster well in the quarter finals. Its good to see two Irish teams still in it.
Bad luck Leinster, still it’s good to see Munster got trough.
As a leinster fan I’m sorry to see it happen but it was inevitable after the home Clermont match. In the years we won it we always had a dominating player in the pack – Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines, Brad Thorn – a guy other teams feared for their physicality and general intensity. These guys were abrasive personalites.
Leo Cullen, while a phenomenal captain, isn’t that sort of player. Devin Toner has no place on a Heineken cup team. He is neither abrasive or talented. The back row and front row, while all physically abrasive, seem not to be thorny individuals. We need someone getting in the face of opponents, on and off the ball. We need someone like the three above, like Dennis Leamy.
I agree for the most part, Cian Healy & Sean O Brien are both mean fookers. I think Leinster need a serious edge in the 2nd row.
Ahhhhh hahahahahaha…I love to see Irish teams doing well but for all the Leinster fans giving Munster fans sh*t over the years…sit on that!
Don’t gloat Thómas, Munster have been there before and will be again. Hard luck to Leinster, tough way to exit the competition. Munster abú.
don’t known any leinster fans that don’t support Munster in the Heineken. Get the chip off your shoulder
There’s no chip on my shoulder. Like I said I always like to see the Irish teams doing well but over the last few years Leinster fans felt the need to have a go at Munster while they were doing well so today I’ll revel in it
I’m sure there is a few idiot Leinster supporters who do give grief Tomás, just as Munster have a few fans like you. Any best of luck Munster and Ulster.
Terrible immature attitude, a man shouldn’t lower himself regardless of what when before. You’re only feeding a cycle of hate.
Sorry Tomas but years of ladyboy crap started all that stuff.
As for yesterday Leinster didn’t qualify because clermont beat us twice not because Munster scored more trys against the second team of 8th best team in France with 14 men.
Tomas when you win the title in Dublin ( and I really hope you do) then gloat all you want because if like last year when we won if you go to France and win a semi final you will deserve to be called the best team in Europe.
Leinster will now have a crack at the Amlin and the rabbo, if we win a title it will be enough to regroup for next year.
Fair play to Simon Zebo yesterday super display and will make the loss of tommy Bowe less hard to take next month.
Hard luck Leinster! Good to have 2 Irish teams still there hopefully if all goes to plan at Welford Road. Munster abu!
I’m all about international rugby, but it’s like a guilty pleasure knocking leinster out of the European cup while qualifying for the quarters.
Hard luck to Leinster and tough way to leave the competition…….
Are they the first champions to go out at pool stage?
Where was this famous strength in depth they always bang on about?
3. 2. Now
3. 2. Next may
Yawn !
Posted on 20/1/2013 is this the Journal’s April’s fool days contribution?