Tyrrell Hatton started the BMW PGA Championship with a fine 66 to share the lead at Wentworth with Adri Arnaus and Justin Harding. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S Tyrrell Hatton enjoyed a happy homecoming in his first round on British soil in 2020 at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The former Wee Wonders champion shot an opening round of 66 on the West Course to share the lead with Spain’s Adri Arnaus and South African Justin Harding.

The 28-year-old carded an eagle and five birdies, including one at the eighth – his final hole – en route to a six-under par round as he chases a third Rolex Series title, in the third Rolex event of the year.

Hatton, a member at Harleyford GC, said: “Obviously, it was tough this morning, and I hit a few poor shots.

“But the key thing was I recovered really well. I followed it up with a really good shot. That kind of kept momentum going.

“It was easy to make mistakes out there. So I’m very happy with my round.

“I think for me, I just feel pretty comfortable out on the golf course,” said Hatton, who grew up – like most of his peers and Justin Rose and Paul Casey before him – watching their idols tackle Wentworth’s premier course.

Tyrrell, who won the Turkish Airlines Open last year, added: “I’ve been around it so many times now, so kind of almost has that home course feel, and you just feel like you know it so well.

“It was a nice start and hopefully I can keep that going for the next few days.”

Former B.B.&O. player Luke Donald won the BMW PGA at Wentworth in 2011

Hatton a visitor to Wentworth for 23 years

ASKED what it would mean to follow past winners Paul Casey and Luke Donald – the latter played for B.B.&O. as an amateur like Hatton – he said: “It would be special.

“This is a tournament I’ve been coming to since I was five years old. To lift the trophy here is a goal of mine in my career.

“And hopefully I can play well the next few days and give myself a chance to do that.”

The World No, 15 won his maiden PGA Tour event at the Arnold Plamer Invitational before the coronavirus pandemic brought golf aorund the the world to a halt.

His other Rolex Series win came in the Italian Open three years ago.

Hatton was joined at the summit by South African Harding and Spaniard Arnaus, both of whom enjoyed flawless six under rounds in the more favourable afternoon conditions.

FOUR players sit a shot off the pace, including reigning Open Champion Shane Lowry, who continued his strong form on Wentworth’s West Course by opening with a five-under 67.

His round comprised five birdies and a bogey in his final six holes.

Lowry – who famously claimed the Claret Jug when The Open returned to Royal Portrush last summer, said: “I’m very happy with that.

“You know, I came here, only arrived here Tuesday night and I played a practice round yesterday – and couldn’t believe how different it was playing it this year – long and soft and difficult.

“We were very lucky with our side of the draw. I think the morning starters had it harder than we did.

“So I was happy to go out there this afternoon, and we sort of played the last few holes with not much wind. And I took advantage of that.”

The Irishman shares fourth place with former Ryder Cup player Matt Fitzpatrick, his fellow B.B.&O. team-mate Eddie Pepperell and Malaysia’s Gavin Green.

Justin Rose is in the chasing pack after shooting a 68 on Wentworth’s West Course

Rai ready to mount another Rolex charge

AARON Rai, who won his maiden Rolex Series title at last week’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and former World No. 1 Justin Rose were among those players a shot further back on four-under.

Rai, like Hatton – and top English women amateurs Annabell and Samantha Fuller – began his career to the top by winning the HSBC Wee Wonders junior competition at St Andrews some 15 years ago.

Last week’s Rolex winner said: “I’m really pleased. It’s been a different build up over the last few days to this event after last week.

“So it was nice to get started on the course and get off to a good start,” said Rai.

“I think for success on any style of golf course, there are a lot of things you’ve got going right in your game.

“And that can be taken forward to any week, such as the short game, good putting.

“I think strategy on the Monday and Tuesday, learning the course, is imperative to play well this week – and prepare for these kind of conditions.

“It was nice just to be able to put it all together today. For me it was important to get here on Monday and Tuesday to practise exactly how I normally would.

“I think it was more to show myself, really, that I’m here to try and perform as well as possible on this given week, regardless of what had happened on Sunday at the Scottish.

“To be in contention, to have a good result and to win an event is an incredible thing to take forward to this week and for the rest of the year.”

Spain’s Adri Arnaus shared the lead after the first round of the BMW PGA Championship

Arnaus likes first look of West Course

DEBUTANT Arnaus is looking for his maiden win after some good displays over the past two years.

He said: “It’s always good news when you’re not adding any strokes to your scoreboard.

“So yeah, very, very pleased with how I played. I was very on point from tee, hitting on to the green and then I rolled some putts.

“So enjoyed it a lot, my first competitive round around here, and it was very, very fun.

“The course is definitely playing a bit longer, I would say because it’s a touch wet.

“But it’s the only way I’ve seen it, so I don’t know how it was playing the other years.

“They have told me it was running much more on the greens a bit firmer. Just a matter of putting it in place and then attacking from there.”

•Follow live scoring in the second round by clicking here.

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Wolverhampton’s Aaron Rai claimed his second European Tour win – and first Rolex Series title – beating Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

AARON Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off to win his first Rolex Series title at the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

The former HSBC Wee Wonders winner – famous for wearing two gloves – signed for a wonderful 64 to set the target at 11-under par.

But Fleetwood holed a 20-foot putt on the last for a closing birdie to take it to extra holes at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick.

It was advantage Fleetwood off the tee as Rai found a fairway bunker.

But the 25-year-old rescued his par and when Fleetwood three-putted from just off the green, Rai claimed his second European Tour title.

A visibly shocked Rai said: “It’s incredible. I played a lot in Scotland growing up – dreamed of playing in a European Tour event in Scotland.

“To be able to play in it was incredible a couple of years ago. And to be able to go still further is an incredible feeling.

“I didn’t really see many leaderboards all the way around. I knew we had to play well – and knew we had to cope pushing forwards.

“But luckily I had a good couple of breaks and also played very well. So I’m very pleased.”

Rai picked up the winner’s cheque for €974,352.96. He picked up just under €300,000 for his first European Tour win in Hong Kong, less than two years ago.

Aaron added: “You have to play some world-class golf. But for it to be a Rolex Series – with the class of field this week – is deeply satisfying.

“And yeah, I’m incredibly pleased. It’s a dream come true.

“If I’m honest, to win any event on the European Tour is amazing,” added Rai.

Ironically, Fleetwood was his playing partner on that day too.

Tommy Fleetwood (right) congratulates Aaron Rai of England after winning the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club

Rai ready for Race to Dubai chase

VICTORY has given Rai some new goals to focus on for the rest of the 2020 season. That includes the possibility of being crowned European No. 1.

“The Race to Dubai wasn’t something I was thinking of. Or certainly winning it wasn’t something I was thinking of before this week.

“Any time you’re up there in the Race to Dubai – whether it’s winning it, whether it’s in the top three, top five – it shows a great degree of consistency with some really top results, as well.

“So still a long way to go in the season. But it’s a great spot to be in,” said Rai, who grew up in Wolverhampton, and recorded three Challenge Tour wins in 2017.

The latter included his maiden Challenge Tour victory in the Kenya Open.

That was watched by his mother Dalvir, who hailed from East Africa and returned to Mombasa for the first time in 47 years to see Rai win.

COVID-19 restrictions meant there were no fans or family to see his Rolex triumph.

Rai’s latest victory came after he finished second behind American John Catlin at last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, at Galgorm Castle.

It moved the former EuroPro Tour player, who turned pro in 2012, into the top five on the Race to Dubai rankings.

He is now also inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, moving from 183rd to 88th overnight.

Rai started wearing two gloves at the age of eight. By then he was already shining in the annual Wee Wonders event – organised by East Lothian-based pro Alasdair Good, with the UK finals held at St Andrews, every October.

Rai’s first EuroPro Tour win also came in a play-off in Scotland at Mar Hall in the 2015 Glenfarclas Open. That earned him £10,000.

Now Rai has an even bigger reason to love golf North of the border and Scottish links courses in particular.

Tommy blames putter for not closing door at Renaissance Club

Fleetwood tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open

FLEETWOOD was prepared to put his near-miss down to an indifferent week with the putter.

Tommy, whose fifth European Tour title came in last November’s Nedbank Challenge, said: “I hit a poor putt and that’s the end of it, really.

“Aaron played 72 holes very, very good, and it was Aaron’s time – and Aaron’s week. Congratulations to him.

“Obviously, I’d have loved it to have been me,” said the 29-year-old from Southport, who also missed a short birdie chance on the par–five 16th.

The Ryder Cup star added: “But overall looking back at the week, there’s so many putts that probably cost me going further in the tournament. But that’s golf.

“There’s a lot of areas in the game that you have to do well to win. One putt on 18 on the 72nd hole… putting cost me at the end. But that’s life and we try again next week.

“I played really, really good – especially the back nine. I felt really in control of my game, and nobody beat me over 72 holes.

“It was Aaron’s time and that’s how it goes.”

Overnight leader Robert Rock battled back with four birdies on the back nine only to bogey the 18th in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

Robert Rock left counting cost of bogey at the last

OVERNIGHT leader Robert Rock, who also hails from the West Midlands, missed out on a place in the play-off by one shot.

Rock had slept on a two-shot lead. He dropped two shots on the front nine, before making four birdies in seven holes.

But the two-time European Tour winner missed out with a bogey at the last for a round of 70.

Australian Lucas Herbert picked up six shots in the first 10 holes, to bounce back from a 79 in Saturday’s storm. His 65 posted the clubhouse lead at nine-under.

Scotland’s also Marc Warren – playing with Rai – bogeyed the last to drop back to nine-under after a superb 66.

Warren and Herbert were a shot clear of Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Woburn’s Ian Poulter, South African Erik van Rooyen.

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington was a shot back in a share of ninth.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, Essex’s Matthew Southgate, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Finn Kalle Samooja joined the Irish legen on seven-under.

•For full results at the Scottish Open click here.

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The teeing-off Ceremony at the 2017 Honma Hong Kong Open. Picture by IKE LI / IKE IMAGES

NEXT week’s Hong Kong Open has been cancelled as the civil unrest in the former British colony increased with violence across university campuses, after months of turmoil by protestors unhappy with Chinese rule.

More than 150 golfers from Europe and Asia were set to head to Hong Kong for one of Asia’s oldest golf tournaments, which is played annually at Fanling.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley made the announcement today (Wednesday) as the latest spate of violence in the college campuses showed no sign of abating.

But after talks with Asian Tour co-hosts, the golf bodies pledged to try to hold the tournament at the earliest opportunity in 2020.

Mr Pelley said: “The decision has been taken due to the ongoing level of social unrest in Hong Kong.

“As the safety of our players, staff, stakeholders and everyone involved in each and every one of our tournaments around the world is our top priority, we feel this is the correct, but unfortunate, course of action.

“The European Tour thanks everyone at the Hong Kong Golf Association, the Hong Kong Golf Club and all persons associated with the Hong Kong Open for their hard work in endeavouring to stage the tournament and we look forward to hopefully returning early next year.”

Asian Tour commissioner Cho Minn Thant said: “It is regrettable that the Hong Kong Open has to be postponed due to the ongoing unrest in the city.

“The unpredictability of the current situation in Hong Kong makes it very challenging to sanction the tournament especially with the safety of everyone of utmost importance.

“However, we are optimistic that once the situation in Hong Kong stabilises, we will be in a better position to sanction the 61st edition of the Hong Kong Open in the very near future.”

European Tour’s vacant date in February

THERE is no European Tour event scheduled for the week of February 13, which could be the next window when the rearranged Hong Kong Open could take place.

After this week’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, which is the climax to the 2019 season, the first event of the season will be the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek, from November 28-December 1.

The tour will then move to the Indian Ocean for the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, from December 5-8, with a trip to the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines Resort, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, from December 19-22.

The first event in 2020 is the South African Openat Johannesburg’ss Randpark GC, form January 9-12 before the beginning of the three week Desert Swing, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Another option may be to hold the event in the week of the WGC-Mexico Championship although that may be unpopular with sponsors as the world’s top 50 players would be unavailable.

Masters winner Patrick Reed and Open Champions Henrik Stenson and Francesco Molinari were due to play in the 2019 Hong Kong Open, while Aaron Rai, from the West Midlands, was set to defend the title won at the Hong Kong Golf Club, a year ago.

Past champion Miguel Angel Jimenez was also committed to play along with Ryder Cup player Matthew Fitzpatrick. Three of those four are in the world’s top 50.

The next vacant week in the European Tour schedule is in early April – the week before the Masters.

•To see the 2020 European Tour schedule in full click here.

Aaron Rai who recorded his maiden European Tour victory at the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club’s Fanling course

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Brandon Stone and Aaron Rai (right) at the DLF Golf and Country Club ahead of this week’s Hero Indian Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

AARON Rai insists it would be “a dream come true” to win this week’s Hero Indian Open on a course he holds in extremely high regard.

The 24-year-old Englishman has Indian born grandparents and would love to add a second European Tour title to his CV at DLF Golf and Country Club, on Sunday.

Rai says this week’s host track, The Gary Player Course, is among his favourite in the world and he is happy to be there this week along with a host of local talent.

The golfer, who hails from the West Midlands and first came to prominence at the HSBC Wee Wonders competition, said: “It is in incredible shape and is probably my favourite course in the world.

“It is very scenic to walk around, but more importantly it is a great course, a great test, so you have to be on.

“My grandparents from both my mum and dad’s side where born in India, so back home as well I have family with Indian heritage, so to even compete in India is a blessing.

“So if it was to happen and go one step further that would be a privilege, especially around a course like this where you need to be on your mental and physical game, so a long way to go but if that did happen it would be incredible and a dream come true,” said the Wolverhampton-based golfer.

Four-time European Tour winner Bernd Wiesberger is hoping to see further improvements in his game this week as he continues his return from injury.

The Austrian missed a large chunk of the 2018 Race to Dubai season with a wrist problem but has managed to play nine events so far this campaign and he is pleased with his progress.

Meanwhile, South African Brandon Stone is excited to be in India for the first time this week and the 2018 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open winner hopes to be in the shake-up in Sunday’s final round.

Wiesberger said: “I haven’t been to India for five or six years so it’s nice to be back and I am looking forward to coming to a golf course that has been described as somewhat challenging, and something different to what we see on a regular basis.

“I have been out there for nine holes this afternoon and it’s quite spectacular.

“I was here the last time when it was the old design, so incredible what has been achieved here – an amazing course in great condition –so looking forward to a strong test of golf here in India.

“Unfortunately, I was out from May until November and that was quite a tough break for me not having any golf to play over summer with the injury in my left wrist.

“I still feel the effects of it a little bit, but I’m not where I want to be, so my results have not been anywhere to what

“I expect of myself but at the same time I am kind of taking it easy, week by week, and taking the positives out of every round.

“I am quite happy with the progress in most parts of the game as I have had to restart in a lot of parts of the game, but I am really looking forward to hopefully improving even more in Delhi.”

South African Brandon Stone said: “It’s my first time coming to India and so far, spectacular. I took my first tuk tuk ride yesterday which was a lot of fun, and my first time looking at the course today. Mr Player has come up again with another very unique design.

“My first look at the 17th hole and I wasn’t disappointed, alternative design so let’s say that, the course is in spectacular condition, so I think it’s going to be a very fun week.

“There is a strong field here this week, a lot of local talent, and I am sure they are going to be vying to get their name on the Hero India Open trophy.

“I remember watching the event last year and watching the shot that Matt Wallace hit on 18 to win and didn’t really think it was that good until I walked down the 18th fairway today and realised that was actually top class.

“I’m excited to be here for the event and hoping to put up a stern fight for the championship come Sunday.

Stone also has one eye on the biggest show in town – the IPL cricket.

He said: “On Saturday I will most certainly be there. It has been on my bucket list the last few years, ever since the IPL came to South Africa.

“So to actually go to a game in India where I have a couple of mates that play for the Delhi Capitals – I am quite envious I won’t be at the game tonight.

“But at the same time we are going to be making a lot of friendships with the team at Hero tonight in getting this event underway.”

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