Tyrell Hatton’s record-third victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links shot him back into Ryder Cup contention and has also kept one of his European teammates happy.

The LIV Golf ace held his nerve with a superb chip-and-putt finish to birdie the 18th at the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday and secure victory.

Hatton holed an awkward birdie putt for victory

He breathed a huge sigh of relief before heading to the pub for a few pints with dad Jeff – his playing partner earlier in the weekend.

Hatton joined talkSPORT Breakfast to discuss his huge victory, which has moved him up 67 places to 16th in the Race for Dubai rankings.

“Yeah it was massive,” he said.

“Going into that week, I was 83rd in the rankings on the Race to Dubai so I wanted to earn enough points so I can get into Abu Dhabi and Dubai in November, which are top 70 top 50. 

“Ryder Cup points are very important and I want to be on that team next year, so winning at the weekend was amazing.”

Despite being desperate to take on Team USA at Bethpage Black in 2025, Hatton’s biggest relief was avoiding an awkward conversation with last year’s Dunhill Links champion Matt Fitzpatrick.

A poor performance in Scotland would have forced Hatton to compete at the Andalucia Masters next week as he tries to make the DP World Tour’s big-money season-ending events.

And the Sotogrande event just so happens to be taking place when Fitzpatrick is due to tie the knot.

“Yeah that was awkward,” he explained.

“We stayed together in a few houses this year at the US Open and USPGA and we said throughout summer we’d be going.

“Then it became apparent that my ranking wasn’t as high as it needed to be.

Hatton and his wife Emily celebrate victory

The Hattons can now watch Fitzpatrick and Katherine Gaal tie the knot

“I said to him, ‘I might have to play Spain the week of your wedding if I try to get into Abu Dhabi and Dubai but hopefully I can play really well at the Spanish Open and the Dunhill prior to that and earn enough points.’

“When I messaged him I felt bad saying that because we were like, ‘We’re gonna go’ and then two, three weeks prior you’re like, ‘Um, might not be able to make it.’ It’s just not a good look. 

“So me and Emily, my wife, we’re excited to go to New Jersey next week and celebrate that special day together.”

Hatton is known for his fiery temper on the course and suggested that playing with his father earlier in the week may have brought out his best form at a tournament he has won three times.

“It’s very different to what we would experience any other week,” he added.

“I played with my dad again, which is the third time we’ve been able to do that and that in itself creates special memories.

“It is very relaxed and maybe that helps me with how I am on the golf course.

“Playing with my dad was really special and that was actually the first tournament he’s been to that I’ve ended up winning.

“To do it at the home golf was is a pretty epic place to do it.”