Danny Willett Wins 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Danny Willett Wins the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

 

 

FIFE, SCOTLAND - Sundays at the Old Course are always the site of something special. 

This year, it was the host of a stellar performance by Englishman Danny Willett, who has won the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a score of 18-under. He wins by two strokes over 54-hole leader Tyrrell Hatton and Joakim Lagergren.

 

This is the 2016 Masters Champion's first win in two years, his last since winning the 2019 BMW PGA Championship. With this win, he shoots up to 23rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings, up 103 places from 126th. It also happened to be Willett's 34th birthday on Sunday.

 

Willett kicked off his final round quickly at the Old Course, carding four birdies and a bogey on the front nine to shoot a 33; a classic case of playing well and putting pressure on others to catch up. His back nine was much quieter though, making all pars save a lone birdie on the 10th hole. 

It was an excellent display of links golf by Willett all week. Many can remember the difficulty that Willett faced in his career in the aftermath of his 2016 Masters win. It is great to see Willett back on the world stage again and winning, given the quality player he is.

 

Notable finishes include Richard Bland, who just five months removed from his first European Tour win was gaining momentum during his final round and challenging for yet another win. He finished T4 at 16-under. 

 

HISTORY MADE IN DUNHILL LINKS PRO-AM

In the 20th edition of the event, history has been made on the pro-am side of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Michael Hoey and amateur Maeve Danaher, both of Irish heritage, have won the pro-am with a score of 36-under. In doing so, Danaher becomes the first female amateur golfer to win the pro-am at the Dunhill Links. 

Danaher plays to a 22-handicap and plays most of her golf at Adare Manor Golf Club in Ireland, 2027 host of the Ryder Cup. She is also married to Gerry McManus, member of the McManus family which has been a staple at the Dunhill Links for many years.

 

Hoey himself is no stranger to winning at the Old Course, having won the professional side of the event back in 2011.

HOW DID OUR PICKS FINISH?

 

1) Shane Lowry: T4 at 15-under

2) Pablo Larrazabal: CUT

3) Billy Horschel: T36 at 6-under

Lowry was on a hot streak similar to Willett on the front nine on Sunday, but he too cooled off on the back nine. It is great to see him continuing his high quality of golf. Horschel was in the mix for a bit on Saturday but shot even par on his final round. Better luck next time to Larrazabal as well, who could not find his rhythm all week. 

***

That wraps up our coverage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Again, us fans were treated to an excellent display of links golf at some truly special and historic courses. The more I watch this event, the more I fall in love with links golf. 

Our coverage moves across the pond to Las Vegas, Nevada next week for the 2021 Shriners Children's Open hosted by TPC Summerlin. 

 

Stay tuned for our preview and picks,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Tyrrell Hatton Regains Form, Leads 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Tyrrell Hatton regains form after disappointing Ryder Cup performance last week 

(image: David Cannon)

 

 

FIFE-SCOTLAND - Two rounds have been played at the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. As it stands heading into the weekend, Englishman Tyrrell Hatton leads with a score of 10-under and a single shot lead over Englishman Daniel Gavins.

As is tradition, a cut is not set at the tournament until the conclusion of the Saturday rounds, giving all players a chance to play the three courses at least once. The final round is then played at the Old Course at St. Andrews on Sunday.

 

HATTON REGAINS FORM AFTER RYDER CUP LULL

At the start of the week, Tyrrell Hatton would not have been in the best of moods. Just a week earlier at the Ryder Cup, his team was defeated in a dominant fashion, in a week that saw poor performances from much of Europe's best players, including Hatton.

But, this did not appear to have dampened Hatton's spirits.

The Englishman, who went 1-2-1, began his week at Carnoustie, where he shot an impressive 8-under 64, one shy of the course record held by Tommy Fleetwood. His round consisted of seven birdies, one eagle and one bogey, most of which occurred on the back nine, where he carded a 29. 

Friday saw Hatton traveling south to Kingsbarns, where he carded a 2-under 70, despite windy conditions.  

It is great to see Hatton performing well this week, given the self-admitted poor performance he had at the Ryder Cup. A win this week would be the bounce back he needs.

Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood has regained his form this week also. Fleetwood, who went 0-1-2 last week, currently sits at T5 with a score of 7-under, after carding a 66 at Kingsbarns and a 71 at Carnoustie.

WIND TAKES OVER CARNOUSTIE, KINGSBARNS AND ST ANDREWS ON FRIDAY

The gusting winds were the talk of the Friday rounds. All three courses saw higher winds speeds on Friday, compared to the previous day. 

 

The low round of the day was a 67 shot by our pick Shane Lowry, whereas the high round of the day was a 87 shot by Thomas Bjorn.

 

Being links courses, and especially ones of this caliber, wind plays a vital role in the difficult of the courses. Most will admit that links courses are benign unless the winds pick up. 

 

For the weekend, the winds are forecasted to stay in the 25km/h range, with gusts up to 45km/h on Saturday. Some light rain is also to be expected.

HOW ARE OUR PICKS DOING?

Let's take a look at our picks as they head into the weekend:

1) Shane Lowry: T7 at 6-under

2) Pablo Larrazabal: T100 at 2-over

3) Billy Horschel: T41 at 2-under

Lowry has continued his momentum roll from last week, and as we saw, when the conditions get tough, Lowry pulls though. Larrazabal will be disappointed this week, after shooting a 69 at Kingsbarns then a 77 at the Old Course. Horschel is in a less severe spot and can rally back with good weekend performance.

***

Things will be interesting heading into the weekend at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Who will battle through the elements and win? 

 

 

Stay tuned for our recap post to find out.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews