Tyrrell Hatton feels a first European Tour win is not far away

Fresh off one of the best performances of his career in Switzerland, Tyrrell Hatton is determined to break into the European Tour's winners' circle sooner rather than later.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb maiden season among Europe's elite in 2014, and capped his campaign with a top-six finish at the DP World Tour Championship which elevated him to 36th in the Race to Dubai standings.

Hatton is now on pace to better that this year, currently standing at 36th with over four months of the season remaining, and his stunning final-round 62 at the Omega European Masters earned him outright third place and his fourth top-10 of 2015.

The young English talent is confident that a first win is just around the corner, and he is reaping the benefits of being able to play with a little more freedom having already guaranteed his playing rights for the 2016 season.

"I got off to a nice start to 2014 which set me up nicely for the year," Hatton told Sky Sports. "I was fresh out of the Challenge Tour, and my main goal for the year was to keep my card. I missed a couple of cuts in South Africa in December so I was a little wary, but I then finished 10th in Abu Dhabi and that was hugely important.

"I had a decent week in Qatar (T22) and missed the cut in Dubai, but then I was tied for second in the Joburg Open and that gave me the confidence and the belief that I could do well on the European Tour.

"I had a bit of an inconsistent patch from May to July, but that’s just golf, it’s fairly normal. I made the Race to Dubai Final Series and that was unbelievable in my first full year on tour. It was a great year, and to finish sixth in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai really capped it off."

Passionate

Hatton admits he can occasionally be too hard on himself on the course, but he is working hard on keeping his emotions in check and feels being more relaxed has contributed to a number of excellent performances this season.

"I’m really passionate and a perfectionist in many ways," he added. "I’ve always been my biggest critic and I wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s something I’ve been working on and I feel like I’m getting there, but it’s not a fast process. I’ve improved a lot, certainly this year, and the results have been good.

I’ve always been my biggest critic and I wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s something I’ve been working on and I feel like I’m getting there

I show my frustration, but it’s something I’m working on and getting better at. But at the end of the day it’s a competition and you want to win. You’re not out there to smile all the time!

"I’m just trying to feel more relaxed on the course and staying in the present. It’s quite easy to get ahead of yourself, so I’ve been working on staying as patient as possible, appreciating the good play and not trying to force anything."

Hatton, seeded seventh at this week's Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play, exceeded even his own expectations in his debut season, and he is determined to keep his momentum flowing over the second half of this year.

Consistency

"I just need a bit more consistency really," he said. "I feel my game is good enough to belong in the bigger tournaments and I’ve done well in some high-profile events. I feel I’m on the right track and I’ve had some good results, so hopefully that first win is not too far away."

Hatton is also enjoying stability off the course as well, attracting a number of endorsement deals including one with Hilton, an official supplier to the European Tour.

"My management company sorted it all out for me and I’m very lucky to be associated with Hilton," he said. "They’re obviously a well-known worldwide business and an official partner of the European Tour. It’s a great sponsor to have in only my second year on Tour and I’m very fortunate.

"I used to work full-time and then part-time folding towels and selling candles, so I’m really fortunate to be in the position I’m in now. I really am living the dream."

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