After the drama of The Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, the European Tour heads north to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. It’s one of the most unique weeks on Tour, with amateurs, including some well-known celebrities, playing all four days alongside professionals. The traditional 72-hole stroke-play tournament runs alongside a team championship, which counts the lowest score made by the pair on each hole.
Tyrrell Hatton won this title for the second year running in 2017, finishing just ahead of Ross Fisher for the second season in a row to take home the trophy. Joining Hatton in the field this week is fellow Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood, as well as vice-captains Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Robert Karlsson and Graeme McDowell.
With plenty of pedigree in the field, our stats guru has combed through the numbers to select three players who could make your Fantasy team.
Favourite: Tyrrell Hatton
The stats don’t lie. Tyrrell Hatton has made this tournament his home away from home since 2016, winning in consecutive years to win his first and third titles respectively. He has a scoring average here of 66.1, including tying the then-course record at the Old Course of 62 in 2016. In that time, he is 47 under par, making him a hot favourite to win in the company of former Dutch international footballer Ruud Gullit.
After enjoying a successful Ryder Cup debut, Hatton will be one of the most confident men on the course. Although having not played a Tour event since his top ten at the US PGA Championship, the Englishman has been enjoying a solid season. With five other top tens to his name, including a tie for ninth at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and the 11th best Stroke Average on Tour (69.64), backing the defending champion is a solid bet.
Form horse: Matt Fitzpatrick
The last time Matt Fitzpatrick took to a golf course, he walked away with the trophy. The 24 year old successfully defended his Omega European Masters title last month and will be keen to add to his five European Tour titles at a course he’s beginning to get to grips with. Seven of his last eight rounds have been sub-70, including rounds of 64 and 63 during his triumphant performance in the Swiss Alps. Although the trio of Scottish links courses pose a different challenge, the fact he arrives with two top sevens in his last two events puts him among the favourites.
He finished in a share of 15th here last year, his best result in three appearances. Fitzpatrick excels in hitting fairways and greens, something which should serve him well at the notoriously challenging Carnoustie.
Wildcard: Lucas Herbert
A fine performance at the Portugal Masters two weeks ago has put Lucas Herbert on the path to claiming at Tour card next season. The Australian finished in a share of second in Vilamoura, his best result on Tour and a sign that he is getting to grips with life in Europe. He is 25 under par for his last two events, including an impressive 63 in the Algarve.
Herbert is also familiar with the toughest course in play this week. Having played all four rounds at Carnoustie at this summer’s Open Championship, including back-to-back 69s, Herbert could be a solid shout for a wildcard pick this week.
