Tyrrell Hatton holds off Ross Fisher's charge to retain his title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Hatton became the first player in the 17-year history of the Dunhill Links to defend the title in a tournament played over three Scottish courses — the Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie

Hatton successfully retained his title (Getty)

Tyrrell Hatton defended his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title at St Andrews after a final round 66 secured a three-shot victory.

Defending champion Hatton, who began the day with a five-shot lead, held off the late challenge of Ross Fisher, whose brilliant 61 set a new course record, and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson to become the first man to retain the crown.

Hatton, 25, opened up a seven-shot lead with four birdies on the front nine and gained a further shot on the 14th - he dropped only two shots during the tournament - to finish three ahead of fellow Englishman Fisher for his second European Tour title.

Fisher, who played himself into contention by gaining six shots in his last seven holes on Saturday, maintained his sizzling form by threatening to close with a record-breaking 59.

Fisher carded seven birdies on the front nine and hit four more successive birdies from the 12th to stand at 11 under, but fell short of the magical figure as he parred the final three holes.

Dubuisson had also set himself up for a chance of a new course record with three holes to play, having carded 10 birdies to stand 10 under after the 15th, but he three-putted the 16th to drop his first shot of the day and parred the last two holes for a nine-under 63.

Scotland's Marc Warren and England's Robert Rock both carded final-round 66s to tie for fourth place with Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, who shot a 71 after starting the day as Hatton's closest challenger.