Tyrrell Hatton certainly played the role of the villain at the DP World Tour Championship, which was won by Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy and Hatton played together in the second round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, having shared the lead after round one.
But it was the former who went on to have much more success, going on to lift his sixth Race to Dubai title.
The latter meanwhile came under fire throughout the week, with the LIV Golf star causing plenty of controversy with his actions.
Among his critics is a DP World Tour winner, with Eddie Pepperell calling Hatton ‘childish’ and ‘petulant’ for swearing and complaining about the course.
Why Tyrrell Hatton deserves praise after the DP World Tour Championship
Hatton also snapped a wedge in frustration at the DP World Tour Championship, with the Englishman having been in the constant limelight for all the wrong reasons last week.
Having personally attended the season finale in Dubai, however, praise should go to Hatton for a moment that wasn’t caught by the cameras.
Immediately after his 10th tee shot in his second round at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Hatton refuelled with a wrap, but it wasn’t to his exact liking.
After eating one half, he took time to offer it to the walking scorers tasked with following his and McIlroy’s second round before darting down the fairway to play his second shot.
Such an action, no matter how small, should be commended, with the young scorers undoubtedly going to remember any and all interactions with star athletes such as Hatton for a very long time.
How 2025 Ryder Cup hopeful Tyrrell Hatton is different behind the scenes
Hatton undoubtedly needs to alter his behaviour in the near future if he is to live up to his duty as a role model, but he is unlikely to change if success goes his way.
Paul McGinley says there’s a different Hatton behind the scenes, and that was certainly evident on day two in Dubai.
He was calm and collected on the first tee with McIlroy as the pair shared a light-hearted discussion, before the Northern Irishman went on to outshine him.
The LIV Golf ace did, however, refuse photographs as he headed to the practice range in Dubai, although no blame can be placed there given that McIlroy did the same.
There is, of course, the argument that Hatton plays better when he’s angry, which if true means a change is not on the cards anytime soon.
Such an attitude may just be crossing the mind of Luke Donald, with the 2025 Ryder Cup captain perhaps not wanting any Hatton-related drama in New York next year.
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