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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Alice Hewson, who won on her first professional start in the Investec South African Open in March, spoke about her golf life to England’s current national squad plaeyrs. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

THE next adventure for Hertfordshire’s Alice Hewson in her blossoming professional career will come – appropriately enough – via the newly-announced Rose Series.

However, Hewson will always make time to talk about her amateur golfing roots at Berkhamsted Golf Club and as a member of various England squads.

The 22-year-old is one of England Golf’s most recent success stories.

Last week Alice gladly accepted England Golf performance director Nigel Edwards’ invitation to host an interactive Q&A session with members of the national teams and their coaches.

Alice said: “England Golf gave me so many opportunities to travel the world and develop my game that I’m happy to pass on my experiences to the next group of players coming through.

Her story was one which held the attention of her appreciative online audience.

Having bid farewell to the amateur ranks by winning the European Ladies at Parkstone Golf Club last August, Hewson made an incredible start to life on the Ladies’ European Tour in March.

She won the South African Open in her first event as a pro on the Ladies European Tour.

On the back of a stellar amateur career which also saw her play in a winning Curtis Cup team and helping England to back-to-back European team titles – it was further confirmation that Hewson is one of world golf’s rising stars.

Alice bowed out of amateur golf by winning the Ladies European Amateur Championship last summer. Picture by LEADDERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Hewson set for Brokenhurst Manor

HEWSON’S competitive season tees off again on June 18 with the first of the seven tournaments that have been sponsored by England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

The Rose Series is a huge boost to the women’s game hit hard by the interruption to the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – just days after Hewson’s win in Cape Town.

And for Hewson it’s a chance to write more chapters in her story which she was only too happy to recount for England’s current crop of leading amateurs.

Alice admitted: “I signed off my amateur career by winning the European Ladies and then to start my time as a pro by winning as a rookie was amazing.

“It actually didn’t feel too bad in South Africa coming down the stretch as I had no pressure on me to win.

“I had been in Abu Dhabi the week before for an event that was eventually cancelled.

“But I was in and around many of the tour players and got to know them so I was comfortable in my surroundings.

“I think the experiences I enjoyed with England in team events and winning individual events also helped me cope – and made sure I had no negative thoughts.”

Hewson also recounted her experiences at Clemson University in South Carolina.

She reinforced her view that an amateur golf career running parallel to a sound education was a smart move.

LET winner Alice Hewson is also a member of the Symetra Tour in the USA. Picture by ADRIAN MILLEDGE

After lockdown, Symetra Tour win is the aim

LOCKDOWN has allowed Hewson to take a breath and continue to work on her game – and target success in the US.

There have been coaching classes via Facetime, yoga sessions and a chance to work on some minor improvements to her game – and nip any bad habits in the bud.

“I’ve enjoyed the time at home as I decided to turn a negative into a positive by working on different aspects of my game,” Alice revealed.

“Now I can’t wait to get started again in the Rose Series at Brokenhurst Manor. It was brilliant of Justin and his wife to invest in and support the women’s game.

“I’ll now look to balance my schedule for the year, as I also have rights on the Symetra Tour in the US.

“I’d like to try and win in the US and build towards a full year in 2021.”

From Wee Wonder to world star in the making…

Alice Hewson as a finalist in the HSBC Wee Wonders with Nick Dougherty, at St Andrews, in 2009

ALICE – who tasted success early in the HSBC Wee Wonders series – also reflected on her years as an England player.

They helped her develop life skills and ease the transition from amateur to pro circuit, as well as the obvious technical benefits of working with renowned coaches such as Steve Robinson and Rob Watts.

Hewson said: “I’m passionate about education and was happy to give my thoughts on the college scene in America, and how balancing this with an amateur career can be beneficial.

“You never know what lies ahead – a player may get injured, you may fall out of love with the game. You need that back-up.

“As well as the educational side, the golfing opportunities are also incredible and it’s the best of both worlds.”

Alice was an all-round athlete before she even became a teenager, playing golf from the age of seven, when she had a very respectable handicap of eight.

As a 12-year old the Berkshamsted School pupil swam in the 2009 British National Championships in Sheffield, competed in the Wee Wonders finals at St Andrews after winning her regional qualifiers.

And to top it off, she put on her spikes to compete in the English Girls U13 Championships and played in the US Kids Championship, at Pinehurst, in America.

That winter she was part of the England Super Birdies Development Squad based at Brocket Hall, and made her Curtis Cup debut six years later, having won the Scottish U16 Championship and the Hampshire Rose.

After two years of regional training Alice became a member of the England Girls squad from 2013-14. She was promoted to the Women’s Squad in 2015 for the next three years.

The post Why Hewson wants to use Rose Ladies Series to LET career blossom further appeared first on Golf North.