Gary Player’s voice in the world of professional golf is an extremely powerful one.
With that in mind, it’s interesting to take a look back and see what Player said about the on-course behavior of Tyrrell Hatton.
Hatton secured the winning Ryder Cup point for Team Europe at Bethpage Black in September.
The 34-year-old Englishman is undoubtedly one of the best golfers in the world, and has eight DP World Tour wins and one PGA Tour victory to his name, as well as a solitary triumph on LIV Golf.
However, Hatton’s on-course behavior has often been criticized, with the LIV golfer’s temper regularly getting the better of him.
But what does golfing legend Player think of Hatton’s on-course outbursts?
What Gary Player said about Tyrrell Hatton’s on-course behavior
Player was a fierce competitor in his day and you get the sense that he’d have loved to come up against Hatton in his prime.
Perhaps surprisingly, the South African is a very big fan of the Englishman – something he made very clear when writing a column for Worldwide Golf back in 2021.
Player said: “There are a diminishing number of characters on the Tour these days so he comes as a welcome star on the scene. I’ve met Tyrrell and he’s a hell of a good guy. He’s earned the title of ‘Angry Golfer’ due to his occasional misbehaviour when he misses a shot or finds the water. His emotions can erupt immediately, but he’s made of strong stuff and he’s quick to make amends.
“My advice to Tyrrell is – keep on playing the game the way that suits you best. It doesn’t matter If he loses his cool now and again, so long as he doesn’t upset anyone in the process. Bad manners are not acceptable. Always remember, ‘Manners Maketh Man’ as Winston Churchill used to say.“
Player is right in his summary that Hatton’s poor temperament on the golf course should not necessarily be viewed as a bad thing.
While it’s not advisable for every single golfer to lose their temper on the course, it is something that works for the Englishman.
When Tyrrell Hatton’s behavior earned him a fine from the DP World Tour
Back in 2024, Hatton’s actions on the golf course during the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai ended up being extremely costly for him.
The 34-year-old snapped a club in two, swore on multiple occasions and repeatedly slammed his putter into the green during his third round at the Earth Course in Dubai in November 2024.
After Hatton’s round, the DP World Tour said his behavior was unacceptable and stated, “He will be fined as a result.“
Those actions from Hatton in Dubai obviously crossed the line but in general, the LIV golfer venting his frustrations is his way of putting bad shots behind him as quickly as possible.
As Player said, as long as Hatton doesn’t adversely affect his playing partners with his behavior on the golf course, there is no harm in him letting out his anger, rather than allowing it to build up inside him.
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