Lucas Bjerregaard fired a final-round 67 on the Old Course at St Andrews to capture his second European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The 27-year old Dane entered the day four back of Tyrrell Hatton, and was six off the pace through six holes, as the Englishman turned in 4-under 32, and appeared set to win his third straight title at the Old Course. But two late bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16 saw Hatton sign off on a back-nine 40 and an even-par round of 72, good for a 14 under total, one off Bjerregaard, who was in the clubhouse at 15 under, following a final-hole birdie.
“I’m getting a little emotional,” said Bjerregaard. “It’s been a great year and now it’s just a whole lot better.
“It didn’t really look like I was ever in it today, it looked like Tyrrell was going to take off with it. I was trucking away at it. I’ve been playing well for a little while and I played really well today and I’m really pleased that it was enough.”
Bjerregaard, who won his maiden title last fall at the Portugal Masters, entered the tournament off four-straight top-20 finishes, including three top 10s (T20, 2, 6, T9). He will now move into the top ten in the Race to Dubai Rankings, and is expected to land somewhere between 50-55 in the world rankings.
The 26-year old Hatton finished T2, alongside compatriot, and Ryder Cup teammate, Tommy Fleetwood (69). The Englishmen were two clear of Finn Tapio Pulkkanen (69), who signed for a 12 under total.
Chinese Haotong Li (66) and Italian Andrea Pavan (72) tied for fifth at 10-under par, one clear of Irishman Padraig Harrington (69), Aussie Lucas Herbert (70), and American Brooks Koepka (72).
2018 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
FINAL TOP 10
Pos-Player-To Par-(Final Rd)
1. Lucas Bjerregaard -15 (-5)
2. Tommy Fleetwood -14 (-3)
2. Tyrrell Hatton -14 (E)
4. Tapio Pulkkanen -12 (-3)
5. Haotong Li -10 (-6)
5. Andrea Pavan -10 (E)
7. Padraig Harrington -9 (-3)
7. Lucas Herbert -9 (-2)
7. Brooks Koepka -9 (E)
10. Nacho Elvira -8 (-3)
10. Peter Hanson -8 (-3)
10. Tony Finau -8 (-2)
10. Andy Sullivan -8 (-2)
10. Nicolas Colsaerts -8 (-1)
10. Tom Lewis -8 (-1)
10. Brandon Stone -8 (+1)
10. Matthias Schwab -8 (+1)
10. Stephen Gallacher -8 (+3)
10. Marcus Fraser -8 (+5)
OTHER NOTABLES
Pos-Player-To Par-(Final Rd)
28. Matt Kuchar -5 (+1)
28. Matt Wallace -5 (-2)
48. Ernie Els -2 (+2)
55. Branden Grace -1 (+3)
60. Thomas Pieters +3 (+7)
THE EARLY ROUNDS
A look at how Lucas Bjerregaard made his move to the winner’s circle.
ROUND 1
Pos-Player-To Par
1. Marcus Fraser -4
1. Matt Wallace -4
3. Five Tied -3
8. Lucas Bjerregaard -2
ROUND 2
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd)
1. Lucas Bjerregaard -9 (-7)
1. Andrea Pavan -9 (-9)
3. Tyrrell Hatton -8 (-6)
3. Marcus Fraser -8 (-4)
3. Matthias Schwab -8 (-5)
ROUND 3
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd)
1. Tyrrell Hatton -14 (-6)
2. Marcus Fraser -13 (-5)
3. Stephen Gallacher -11 (-6)
3. Tommy Fleetwood -11 (-5)
5. Lucas Bjerregaard -10 (-3)
ROUND 4
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd)
1. Lucas Bjerregaard -15 (-5)
2. Tommy Fleetwood -14 (-3)
2. Tyrrell Hatton -14 (E)
TOP CHECK CASHERS
1. Lucas Bjerregaard $800,000
2. Tommy Fleetwood $416,905
2. Tyrrell Hatton $416,905
SOCIAL CLIP
QUOTABLE
“I’m getting a little emotional. It’s been a great year and now it’s just a whole lot better.”
– Lucas Bjerregaard
Credit: European Tour
