While Tyrrell Hatton may not have been in real contention heading down the stretch on Sunday at the DP World Tour Championship, there was certainly plenty of headlines written about the Englishman’s week in Dubai.
Tyrrell Hatton has handed the DP World Tour a big boost by featuring in a number of events following the end of the LIV Golf season. Of course, Hatton made history by winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for a third time.
But the 33-year-old came in for a lot of criticism at the DP World Tour Championship. Hatton was labelled a ‘terrible influence’ after snapping his club following an underwhelming approach shot during his third round. The Legion XIII star is no stranger to venting his frustration on the course.
Understandably, Hatton was set to be fined for the incident. However, it seems that some feel that some of the criticism has gone way over the top.
Tyrrell Hatton defended after DP World Tour Championship controversy
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Bunkered digital editor Michael McEwan suggested that golf is trying to have its cake and eat it by condemning Hatton’s behaviour while crying out for more personality in the game.
“I think it’s disappointing to hear people to say that he shouldn’t be doing what he’s doing and he should conform to a particular type of behaviour, because how many times have we spoken about the lack of characters in the game these days? That’s why we get excited when somebody like Bryson comes along and they’re extroverted,” he said.
“That’s why we’re critical of people like Patrick Cantlay who show nothing, give nothing, and look like this is the most miserable existence imaginable and celebrate a victory with barely a fist pump. That’s not very engaging to watch and we rightly call that out, give us a bit more, we want to be entertained. Then, as soon as someone comes along like Tyrrell and does certain things, we say, wait a minute, not like that, for goodness sake, don’t entertain us that way.
“We’re very needy it feels like at times, we want you to entertain us in a very specific way. Heaven forbid that people should give in to their emotions.”
Hatton established himself as one of the world’s best players in 2024
There is definitely a fine line when it comes to someone like Hatton. Some in the media have admitted to being sick of apologising for Hatton’s behaviour during broadcasts. But as McEwan notes, golf absolutely needs figures like Hatton, particularly when spectators are kept at arm’s length so much of the time.
And his antics appear to work for him – in a clear contrast with almost anyone who has got angry on the golf course and then found that that fire does not, for some reason, enable them to hit the very next shot like a prime Tiger Woods.
Hatton finished fourth in the individual standings on LIV this year, winning in Nashville. Meanwhile, he also finished in fourth spot on the Race to Dubai. And Hatton has done his Ryder Cup chances the world of good with his form on the DP World Tour.
There are probably times where he is embarrassed by some of the things which he has done on the course, particularly when they end up being broadcast. But Hatton has made it work for him and is now undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.
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