Golf news
Hatton excited for Italian defence
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – APRIL 13: Tyrrell Hatton of England plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 2018 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2018 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images)
Tyrrell Hatton says he is “looking forward to the challenge” of defending his Italian Open crown this year.
October has proven to be a good month for Hatton over the past two years, with the Englishman breaking his European Tour duck at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in that month before successfully retaining the title 12 months later.
The 26-year-old then managed to win the Italian Open the following week, beating compatriot Ross Fisher and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat by one stroke, lifting him to 17th in the world rankings.
Hatton has made an impressive start to 2018, having finished third at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and tied-third at the WGC-Mexico Championship, and these results have put him in contention for a spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
Now sitting at 19th in the official OWGR standings, Hatton has confirmed he will be defending his Italian Open title and he is looking forward to the challenges that will come with it.
“I’m really looking forward to making the trip back to Italy,” he was quoted as saying by Sport24. “I have so many good memories of the week last year in Milan, it was surreal to win twice on the European Tour, and something I will never forget.
“Winning an event like the Italian Open, a tournament with such a long and rich history, and to do it on the way I did on the final hole was pretty special. It is going to be different defending a title at a new course, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
