Tyrrell Hatton has had a weekend to remember but the Dunhill Links champion insists his Ryder Cup celebrations have not cost him the chance of a three-peat.
The Englishman made history last year when he became the first man to defend the trophy and he is targeting a hat-trick of wins on his return to the home of golf.
He said: “It was obviously a very special week and it’s memories which will last a lifetime. From the start of the week I knew it was going to be something special and there was a fantastic chemistry among the team from the start and I’m delighted we got the job done.
“It’s definitely more relaxed than other weeks which helps me. I enjoy the courses and winning here the previous two years it’s great to be back and I feel my game is in a good place. I’ll be trying my best this week to make It three in a row and I don’t feel too bad after Sunday’s celebrations.
“I don’t see why I can’t (win again). I feel my game is in a good place and I’ll certainly be trying my best to win this week. All I can do is try my best and see what happens”
Hatton will be without his trusted partner, actor Jamie Dornan, who partnered him to success in each of his two previous wins but he believes his new celebrity partner is a more than suitable replacement.
Hatton said: “We’ve had good fun the last two years. Obviously Jamie is quite busy at the moment and can’t play this year but I’m playing with Ruud Gullit and that should be great. We should have fun over the days and it’s a special week we’ll enjoy.
“It’s a special place, it has a certain feeling about it when you stand on that first tee although you are thinking ‘I hope I don’t miss the fairway.’ It’s a special feeling, the home of golf, and we get to play two other courses as well.”
As for his first Ryder Cup experience, well clearly it has whetted the appetite for more.
Hatton said: “I’ll certainly be trying my best to be on the team in two years’ time. Once you’ve played on it once you are desperate to be there again and being part of the team was very special. Hopefully I’ll be there and I can only try my best each week. You never know what is around the corner in golf.”