Rafa Cabrera Bello and Tyrrell Hatton were the leading lights for the European Tour at the World Golf Championship in Mexico, after the duo shared third place at Club de Golf Chapultepec.
Both men signed off with a final round 67 as they finished one shot off a place in a play-off, won by Phil Mickelson, on 15 under par. Hatton climbs to third place in the Rankings from 16th and Cabrera Bello jumps from 20th to fourth, with both earning 510,500 points. Mickelson took home the Gene Sarazen trophy after defeating fellow countryman Justin Thomas on the first extra hole after both finished 16 under par.
Hatton had a terrific start to his final round with three birdies in his first four holes, which gave him the lead in the first World Golf Championship event of the season. However, bogeys on the ninth and 11th moved him back. The 26 year old would then go four under in his next six holes to put him back in the mix, but a bogey on the last meant he agonisingly missed out on the playoff and had to settle for tied third.
“I felt I played good, I've been in contention,” said the three-time European Tour winner. “Maybe one or two mistakes, but I by no means feel that I lost anything. I've kind of always been in the hunt, one or two a few back from the leaders. But overall I'm pretty pleased. A very good performance.”
Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office, said "“Many congratulations to Rafa and Tyrrell on an impressive weekend at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
“After both made up good ground in the Race to Dubai Rankings, we look forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store for these stars and hope to see both players at this year’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.”
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat continued his fine form after a final round 65 left him tied for fifth on 13 under par, earning him 330,500 Race to Dubai points. This means the Thai enters the Race to Dubai top ten once again after climbing from 12th to 5th with 653,160 points.
Reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia’s tied seventh finish saw him win 239,750 Race to Dubai points, which leapfrogs the Spaniard from 87th to 16th with a season tally of 298,122.
Meanwhile Race to Dubai leader Indian Shubhankar Sharma retained top spot in the Race to Dubai Rankings after his WGC debut saw him finish tied for ninth. Sharma earned 182,000 Race to Dubai points for his efforts in Mexico City to leave him on 930,073 points.
The Tshwane Open ran alongside the event in Mexico, with home favourite George Coetzee winning with a sublime 18 under par.
The South African’s victory, his second in this event, saw him win 166,425 Race to Dubai points and moved him from 69th to 20th with 241,677 points.
Englishman Sam Horsfield finished two off the top to claim second place and gain 115,500 points, moving him from 66th to 28th with a season tally of 193,407 points.
The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, open to the top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings, takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 15-18.
