Tyrrell Hatton recently shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The golf star humorously mentioned feeling as sluggish as the Titanic during his initial round of 70 while defending his title in January.
During their round together, the Masters champion joked about his weight gain post-holiday celebrations, revealing that their conversation mostly revolved around the quality wine they had enjoyed. Hatton disclosed that he weighed 204 pounds on January 1st, a significant increase from his pre-Ryder Cup weight of 190 pounds.
Reflecting on his festive season, Hatton admitted to minimal exercise and a considerable amount of drinking, including savoring Guinness from a tap in his home. Now aiming to shed some pounds, he humorously referred to his current regimen as “damp January” compared to his previous attempt at dry January.
Known for his love of a drink, Hatton shared past instances of enjoying Guinness, including a memorable celebration at the Ryder Cup qualification. Despite his lack of conditioning due to the upcoming LIV Golf tour, Hatton managed to score four birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of the year, trailing behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari.
Acknowledging his physical stiffness on the course, Hatton expressed determination to improve his performance despite feeling a bit rusty. Meanwhile, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, also part of the same group, focused on their golf game without discussing fines related to conflicting LIV Golf results.
Poland’s Adrian Meronk echoed Hatton’s and Rahm’s discontent over the fines imposed for playing in alternative tours, calling for a fair resolution between the parties involved. The ongoing debate surrounding these fines reflects the players’ dissatisfaction with the current situation.