European Tour Danny Willett claims three-stroke lead in Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Former Masters champion Danny Willett produced an impressive 6-under-66 bogeyless round to claim a three-stroke lead at the end of the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday.

The Englishman finished the day 14 under for the tournament, ahead of overnight leader Tyrrell Hatton, who started off brilliantly with four birdies in the first five holes before letting his advantage slip away with three successive bogeys over the last nine to end with a 1 under 71.

“I had a really good start, then I just hit a few loose shots, I just lost all momentum, to be honest. I think from the eighth hole, I never really made it. nothing, ”Hatton said.

“I think there were only a few times where I had a realistic birdie chance, and I had a good putt, and he jumped out of the line or whatever.”

Hatton was tied for second with the trio of Shane Lowry, Richard Bland and John Murphy, who all took advantage of the friendly scoring conditions on the Old Course at St Andrews.

The Old Course will host the final round on Sunday after being used in rotation – alongside Carnoustie and Kingsbarns – during the first three days of the event.

Former British Open winner Lowry, who took part in Europe’s Ryder Cup defeat at Whistling Straits last week, looked stunning in touch as he shot five birdies on the top nine, including a 24-foot putt on the second to finish with a five-under 67.

“There is a bit of fatigue… obviously it’s a bit quiet now since last week (at the Ryder Cup)… but it’s still a big tournament. I’m a competitive person. come play, I want to do well, so I’m here to give it my all, ”Lowry said.

“Anyone who’s involved in golf and who’s been here knows that this place is probably one of the most special places in the world … so being able to lift the trophy on this green will be amazing.”

Willett is aiming for his first victory on the European tour in more than two years, while Hatton would claim three wins in the same tournament if he were to win on Sunday, having already won the trophy in 2016 and 2017.