Tyrrell Hatton was labelled a ‘terrible influence on the next generation’ after snapping a club in two and combusting under the desert sky in Dubai on Saturday.
The flashpoint, or rather the most notable of them, came at the 14th hole at the DP World Tour Championship, when having already seen his leaderboard challenge slip to a series of missed putts, the Englishman added his wedge to the kill list.
He had just missed his approach to the green at the par five and in his anger Hatton pressed the club into the turf so hard the shaft snapped.
If there was an irony there, it is that he recovered for only his second birdie in a round 71 that left him at nine under, three off the lead jointly held by Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner. Given the 33-year-old history of showing his frustrations, he was on the receiving end of a stinging on-air assessment from Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray, who said: ‘Oh no, no. It’s time for change I’m afraid.
‘What a terrible influence on the next generation. I’m sorry to say it, I’m his biggest supporter as a golfer. But just have a look at this. Why? Why would you do that? We’ve all had our moments but he’s having too many of them.’
Hatton, the world No 18, has had an excellent debut season on the LIV circuit and has enjoyed success on his former tour, including a win at the Alfred Dunhill Links recently. But he has been frustrated with his game throughout the week, despite contending for the title, and that was illustrated by a missed putt from one foot at the fourth.
After missing his approach to the green on the 14th hole, Tyrrell Hatton snapped his club in two
The 33-year-old was labelled a terrible influence on the next generation after his outburst
Hatton has been frustrated with his game throughout the week after missing some short putts
Another errant putt at the 11th prompted an outburst that was picked up by the on-course microphones: ‘F*** you, f****** s*** greens’. At the close of the round, he gathered his ball from the cup and threw it in the water. Bad influence or entertaining?
Irrespective of Hatton’s irritations, he is in good shape on the leaderboard, which also poses an excellent opportunity for McIlroy to shed his self-designated ‘nearly man’ tag. To do so he will need to exact some level of revenge over Hojgaard in the final competitive round of his season.
Just two months ago the Dane edged McIlroy into second at the Irish Open, and having already secured his PGA Tour card for next season the level of his threat is clear. Rozner of France is level with them on 12 under after he eagled the 18th on Saturday.
The test for McIlroy will be managing his nerves as he attempts to end a winless run that stretches back to May.
Doubtless the low point in the run came at the US Open, but that loss on home soil to Hojgaard stung badly and counts as one of the Northern Irishman’s seven top-five finishes without a victory in six months. To get over the line here would therefore offer a cathartic end to a 2024 campaign that brought three early titles but has been more trying than satisfying for the world No 3.
After carding a 68, McIlroy, who is effectively a shoo-in to win the order of merit ahead Thriston Lawrence, said: ‘It’s a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. I’m going to give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I’m able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.
Despite his frustrations, the Englishman is still in good shape on the leaderboard, lying sixth
Rory McIlroy will be attempting to end a winless run that stretches all the way back to May
‘I’ve been able to do that twice before, so to do it again would be great. I’ve been really proud of my consistency, especially on this tour – it doesn’t feel like I’ve finished outside the top five in many of them this year. It would be a great way to finish the year.’
Sealing the deal is never easy but McIlroy could benefit from a share of the good fortune that went Hojgaard’s way on the final hole of his 66.
The 23-year-old, who has already secured his card for the next PGA Tour next season and is a strong candidate for Ryder Cup selection in 2025, had started his loop fabulously with six birdies on the front nine. But after nine straight pars was staring at a potential double bogey on the par five 18th.
His drive had gone in the creek and his third shot was so wayward it clattered the grandstand and a fence before coming to rest on some electrical cables. A free drop was permitted, from which his chip came up 20ft short, but he holed the putt for an adventurous par.
