Tyrrell Hatton shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The LIV Golf player humorously mentioned feeling as rigid as the Titanic during his initial round defending his title in a damp January.
Despite urging his Ryder Cup colleague to cover fines for participating in the Saudi-sponsored tour to maintain eligibility for European competitions, Hatton and McIlroy focused solely on reminiscing about the quality wine they enjoyed over the holidays during their 18 holes together.
Laughing about his weight gain, Hatton disclosed reaching 204 pounds on January 1st, a significant increase from his Ryder Cup weight of 190 pounds just before the previous competition. He attributed the extra weight to a lack of cardio and excessive drinking, particularly savoring the Guinness on tap at home.
Acknowledging the need to shed some pounds, Hatton humorously shared his plan for a “damp January” regime to cut back on alcohol and hit the gym for a healthier lifestyle after a festive December. Notorious for indulging in drinks, he recounted consuming multiple pints of Guinness each night during the Open challenge and experiencing a messy celebration post-Ryder Cup qualification.
Despite his physical condition not being optimal due to the upcoming LIV Golf tour in February, Hatton managed to register four birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of the year, trailing Ryder Cup vice-captain Francesco Molinari’s lead.
Reflecting on his performance, Hatton admitted feeling rusty and stiff on the golf course, attributing his challenges to limited practice since the Saudi International tournament. He emphasized the importance of playing to the best of his abilities despite the physical setbacks.
During the tournament, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who played alongside Hatton, avoided discussing the fines imposed by the DP World Tour regarding conflicting LIV Golf commitments, focusing instead on their golf performance.
Addressing the ongoing dispute over fines, Polish golfer Adrian Meronk expressed discontent with the penalties imposed on players participating in alternate tours, calling for a resolution between the involved golf entities to alleviate the players’ concerns.