Sunday 15 October 2017 20:24, UK
Tyrrell Hatton gave credit to his caddie for helping him stay patient as he made it back-to-back European Tour victories with a tense one-shot win at the Italian Open.
Hatton struggled to make much happen as he picked up only one birdie over the first 11 holes at Golf Club Milano, but he suddenly raced into contention with four consecutive birdies from the 12th to earn a share of the lead with Ross Fisher and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
A three-way play-off looked likely when Hatton parred 16 and 17, but the in-form Englishman knocked in a clutch putt for victory on the final green to secure the bumper first prize of $1,166,660 in the fifth of the eight Rolex Series events this season.
Hatton's win came just a week after he successfully defended his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title in some style, and he has now broken back into the world's top 20 following a lean summer.
"I knew I needed a low score today, and front nine, it was pretty slow and sort of didn't really get any momentum," said Hatton, who revealed the advice from caddie Jonathan Bell was invaluable. "I was fighting myself, trying to stay patient, and JB was just saying, 'Good things will come'.
"Although I found it hard to believe, I tried to stay patient as good as I can and, in the end, I guess I got my reward. I gave myself a lot of opportunities, I played really solid and it's nice to carry the form over. So you know, it's just amazing to win again.
"It's sort of crazy to think about. It's amazing to win one, but to win back-to-back and defend in two weeks is unbelievable. I'd had a pretty poor run of events through some of the Rolex Series, so to end up lifting the trophy in one of them is an amazing feeling.
"It gives me a lot of confidence. Obviously winning last week, the game felt really good, and you know, just taking that into this week and playing well again and giving myself another chance was great. To pull it off, I'm just so happy."
Hatton also paid tribute to the vast galleries at the Monza layout, who were treated to some high-quality golf from the star-studded field.
"These are massive events for The European Tour," Hatton added. "They get such a good field and obviously so well supported with the crowd. The crowds were amazing. Yeah, it's very special to win one of the big events on the European Tour."
