Tyrrell Hatton clinched his fifth Rolex Series title on Sunday, capturing victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in dramatic fashion with a final-round three-under-par 69. The Englishman was presented with the iconic Dallah Trophy by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group, in front of record-breaking crowds at Emirates Golf Club, where the event sold out across all ticket types.
Hatton entered the final day just one shot behind overnight leader Daniel Hillier, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. The 33-year-old quickly erased the deficit with a birdie on the second hole, following a fortunate bounce that saw his tee shot land on the green. Hillier regained the lead with a birdie at the third, but Hatton surged ahead at the fifth, where he capitalized on Hillier’s bogey with a four-foot birdie.
Hatton’s Resilient Start to the Final Round
A key moment in Hatton’s round came on the sixth hole, where a precise nine-foot birdie doubled his advantage over Hillier, who missed a birdie putt from a shorter distance. The Englishman’s momentum continued, and a massive break on the seventh hole, where his tee shot rolled just inches from the water hazard, kept his hopes alive as he salvaged a par.
With both players birdieing the long 10th, the drama escalated as Hillier halved Hatton’s lead with a birdie at the 11th. However, fifth Rolex series Tyrrell Hatton remained calm, despite a tricky situation on the 12th when he found rough off the tee and a challenging lie on his approach shot. Hatton dropped a shot but maintained his advantage, as Hillier failed to take full advantage, missing a short putt to save par.
As the battle for the title turned into a war of attrition, the leaderboard became congested with players such as Laurie Canter, Rory McIlroy, Shaun Norris, and Niklas Nørgaard making late runs. Yet, it was fifth Rolex Series Tyrrel Hatton who pulled away with a brilliant wedge approach on the 16th, setting up a tap-in birdie to extend his lead.
Crucial Moments on the Back Nine
Hatton’s lead was further tested on the 18th. The Englishman laid up off the tee, leaving himself a tough 45-foot birdie attempt after a conservative approach to the back of the green. Hillier, who had gone for the green in two, was left with a challenging chip after his shot ran over the back. He managed a birdie to pull within a shot, but Hatton stayed composed, sinking a clutch five-footer to finish on 15-under-par, one shot clear of Hillier, who finished as runner-up.
“I feel amazing,” Hatton said after claiming his eighth DP World Tour victory and record-tying fifth Rolex Series title. “This is one of the events you would love to have on your CV. To add my name to the list of incredible champions who’ve won here before me—it’s a dream come true.”
Leaderboard Highlights
While Hatton’s victory was the highlight, the Hero DubaiDubai Desert Classic saw some strong performances across the leaderboard. Laurie Canter finished solo third on 13-under after a final-day 68, while McIlroy and Nørgaard shared fourth place on 12-under, each shooting 66 on the final day. Shaun Norris and Tom McKibbin rounded out the top six on 11-under, while Guido Migliozzi and David Micheluzzi shared eighth at 10-under.
Before the tournament got underway, the excitement started early with the third edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic, which saw Czech golfer Louis Klein make history. Klein fired a Junior Course Record 9-under 63 in the second round and finished the event with a total of 15-under-par over three days to claim the title.
More Than Golf: A Celebration of Dubai’s Spirit
Another exciting addition to the event was the CreatorsCreators Dubai Desert Classic, which celebrated the growing influence of golf content creators. Sixteen renowned creators, including F0ur Br0thers, Mac Boucher, and Inci Mehmet, competed in an 18-hole stroke-play contest on the iconic Majlis Course, engaging their young, digital-savvy audiences. The winner in the gross category was Woan, who posted a 2-under-par 70, while Templer claimed the net title with a remarkable 64, playing off a 2 handicap.
Off the course, Tournament Town was the vibrant hub of family entertainment, where fans of all ages enjoyed a lively atmosphere throughout the week. From engaging activities to unforgettable experiences, it was clear that the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was not just about the golf – it was a celebration of Dubai’s spirit and vision.
What’s Next?
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, expressed his gratitude to all involved: “First and foremost, congratulations to Tyrrell on an outstanding performance. This week has showcased one of the strongest fields in the event’s history, and we are proud of the innovation and sustainability efforts we’ve made to enhance the experience for both players and fans.”
Looking ahead, fans can expect more excitement in next year’s edition. With ticket information to be released later in the year, be sure to follow the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on social media for all the latest updates.
As fifth Rolex Series Tyrrell Hatton raised the Dallah Trophy aloft, it was a fitting end to a week filled with thrilling golf, exceptional performances, and unforgettable moments.
