Tyrrell Hatton shared that he scored better than a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from enjoying wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The LIV Golf athlete humorously mentioned feeling as sluggish as the Titanic during his first round defending his title in the wet January conditions.
The reigning Masters champion had advised his Ryder Cup teammate to cover the fines for participating in the Saudi-supported tour to maintain eligibility for the European team during a pre-tournament interview. However, during their round together, the focus was on reminiscing about the quality wine consumed over the festive season.
Jokingly, Hatton mentioned that McIlroy was shocked to hear he weighed 204 pounds (14st 6lbs) on January 1st, a significant increase from his weight before the Ryder Cup. He attributed the weight gain to minimal cardio and increased alcohol consumption, including enjoying having a Guinness tap at home.
Acknowledging the need to shed some pounds, Hatton humorously referred to his current fitness regime as “damp January” to contrast with his festive indulgences in December. Despite feeling rusty and restricted in his movements, Hatton managed to card four birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of the year, trailing leader Francesco Molinari by five shots.
The discussion during the round did not touch on the fines imposed by the DP World Tour for conflicting LIV Golf commitments, as both McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood focused on their game. Meanwhile, Poland’s Adrian Meronk expressed discontent with the fines imposed on players for participating in other tours, advocating for a resolution between the tours involved.
Hatton, known for his fondness for a drink, shared anecdotes of his past indulgences, including celebrating with multiple Guinness pints during previous tournaments. Despite his lack of recent playing time, Hatton remains determined to perform well and improve his game on the course.
