The British Masters is set to have a first-time European Tour winner from the home counties in the field when it gets under way at The Grove on Thursday.

Marlow professional Tyrell Hatton claimed the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews yesterday by four shots on 23-under-par after he played the final 36 holes of the event in a scintillating 16-under.

The 24-year-old has been knocking at the door this year, having come second at the Scottish Open in July to start a superb month which saw him finish in a tie for fifth at the Open Championship before securing a share of tenth at the US PGA Championship.

Although the final line-up for the Luke Donald-hosted event backed by Sky Sports at the Chandler’s Cross golf and hotel complex has still to be confirmed, it will include 23 of the leading 30 players at the Links Championship according to the entry list on the European Tour website, including joint runner-ups Ross Fisher and Richard Sterne and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell.

Moor Park Golf Club’s Callum Shinkwin, who is set to miss out on the tournament as he is currently 15th reserve, finished in a tie for 38th place following the final round of the three-course tournament at St Andrews.

The 23-year-old was among the first round pacesetters after a five-under-par 67, following this up with a 74 and 69 to remain in contention for a high finish.

A top-25 placing was on the cards for the Bushey professional after he played the first 16 holes of the final round in three-under, but a double bogey six at the famous 17th Road Hole saw him drop down the field.

However, the result represents Shinkwin’s highest finish in a European Tour strokeplay event since he finished in a share of eighth at the Scottish Open, having come tied ninth at the Open de France the previous week.