On a list as long as it is distinguished, the name of Tyrrell Hatton could well be the latest to join the legends named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, as the Englishman looks to continue a fine maiden European Tour campaign at the KLM Open this week.
With compatriots such as Paul Casey, Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Poulter having already inscribed their name upon the all-hallowed trophy alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia, José María Olazábal and last year’s winner Peter Uihlein, the 22 year old has made a strong case so far this season to join such illustrious company.
Hailing from Buckinghamshire, some thirty miles west of Central London, Hatton has made a meteoric rise through the professional ranks that has culminated in an impressive Race to Dubai debut this year, during which he has registered three top four finishes.
The most recent of those came at the Omega European Masters, where four rounds in the 60s, including a pair of 65s over the weekend, saw him post 17 under par and finish just one stroke out of the play-off contested between Graeme Storm and the triumphant David Lipsky.
That tie for third helped book end a strong summer of competitive action that followed on from an impressive turn at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in July, where Hatton eventually shared fourth place alongside Stephen Gallacher, Shane Lowry and Matteo Manassero.
Teeing it up in the penultimate group on Sunday would have been great experience for the Englishman, and that result built upon some strong early season form that also saw him finish in the top ten at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January, before a share of runner-up at the Joburg Open a month later.
All of these results have Hatton ideally placed inside the top 60 on The Race to Dubai that will eventually qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, a tournament that if he were to qualify for, he openly admits will be the icing on an already exemplary 2014 cake.
“It has been great, I couldn’t have wished for a better first year,” explained the former amateur star. “I’ve just looked forward to every week and managed to play well, which has been great. At the start of the season there are worries at the back of your mind about how you are going to get on, but a top ten in Abu Dhabi was great, with a world class field, which was great for my confidence.
“Then to finish tied second in Joburg a couple of weeks later was really good as it kick started the year. I had a couple of OK weeks after that where I finished 30th or 40th, and then to finish in a tie for fourth in Scotland was great.
“In the short term I would like to qualify for The Race to Dubai finale at the end of this year, as that would be fantastic. If you’d have told me I’d be this close to qualifying at this stage of the season, in my rookie year, I’d have snapped your hand off really.”
There is no doubt that a strong amateur career provided a suitable foundation to life as a golfer, but it was Hatton’s star turn on the Challenge Tour last year that not only earned him a place amongst the game’s elite, but also proved to himself that he had the game to compete at the top of the sport.
His best result, a runner-up at the Kazakhstan Open last September, was swiftly backed up by the same again at The Foshan Open in China a month later. He would not rest on his laurels though, and a share of sixth place at the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club to close the season made sure of a tenth place finish on the season-long Rankings.
With the top 15 earning their place on The European Tour, Hatton had completed his streamlined ascent to the top of the game, and he has since revelled in being surrounded by some of the greats of the game.
“I had a great finish to the Challenge Tour season last year, and I kept that run of form going as we moved into the New Year, and to play well and do well in those tournaments really made me believe that I could play at this next level,” said Hatton.
“I’ve just tried to keep my routines the same as last year on the Challenge Tour, as I’ve never been a great practiser, and only like to spend half an hour warming up. So I’ve just kept everything the same and tried not to do anything different.
“I’ve watched a lot of golf on TV, so to be in the Players’ Lounge and on the range next to these guys, I’ve almost been a little star struck, and as I’m still young I think I’m allowed that.”
Hatton was speaking midway through his first trip to the stunning Crans-sur-Sierre, during another week in which he would impress his talent upon fans of The European Tour, and he closed with an anecdote that further proves his credentials as a rising star on The Race to Dubai.
“It was not an ideal start, but I didn’t have a warm up this morning as I took a little longer in the physio truck than normal, which wasn’t ideal,” said Hatton, who started his second round at the Omega European Masters with a double bogey, before bouncing back to a four under par score on Friday.
“To come back and play really well though was pleasing, as I did a similar thing at Wentworth (in the BMW PGA Championship). I was three over through the first couple there, and then played my last 15 holes in five under. That little bit of pressure, when you need to make birdies to turn it around, I seem to have dealt with it quite well this year, so it has been good.”
In a game that can serve up as many highs as lows, Hatton’s apparent ability to deal with adversity – as he describes above – will come in very handy if he is to carve out a successful and lengthy career on The European Tour, and judging by his performances so far this season, there is every chance that this 22 year old is here to stay.
Remember the name: Tyrrell Hatton.
