Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup after Abu Dhabi triumph

Tyrrell Hatton has a second Ryder Cup appearance in his sights after producing a brilliant final round to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy missed out on the title once again.

Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par and secure a sixth European Tour title and fourth in the lucrative Rolex Series, a victory which lifts him above McIlroy in the world rankings to a career-high of fifth.

Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place on 14 under, with McIlroy a shot further back following a disappointing 72.

“I’m definitely pinching myself, it’s just very surreal to be that high in the world rankings,” Hatton said.

“I’m struggling to find the words to put it across but I’ll just say it is very cool to be where I am at the moment.”

McIlroy took a one-shot advantage into the final round and doubled his lead thanks to birdies on the second and third, but three-putted the fourth and also dropped a shot on the par-five eighth following a poor drive.

Playing partner Hatton matched McIlroy’s birdie on the second and also picked up shots on the seventh and ninth to reach the turn with a two-shot lead.

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McIlroy looked certain to close the gap when he found the par-five 10th in two, inches closer to the hole than Hatton was in three, but Hatton holed from 35 feet for an unlikely birdie and McIlroy two-putted for his.