Tyrrell Hatton shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The LIV Golf player humorously described feeling as sluggish as the Titanic during his first round of the tournament in January.
During their round together, Hatton and McIlroy focused more on reminiscing about the good wine they enjoyed during the holidays rather than discussing golf. Hatton humorously mentioned shocking McIlroy with his weight gain, revealing he was 204 pounds on January 1st, a significant increase from his weight before the Ryder Cup.
Hatton admitted to enjoying his December with minimal exercise but plenty of drinking, including having a Guinness tap at home. Now, he aims to shed some weight by participating in what he calls “damp January,” where he will reduce his alcohol intake and hit the gym more frequently.
Despite his lack of recent conditioning, Hatton managed to score four birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of the year, falling behind Francesco Molinari’s lead. He acknowledged feeling rusty on the course but is determined to perform to the best of his abilities.
McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who played alongside Hatton, did not engage in discussions about fines related to conflicting tournament results. Hatton and other LIV Golf stars are contesting these fines, advocating for a fair agreement between the various golf tours involved.
Polish golfer Adrian Meronk echoed the sentiment of discontent over the fines, emphasizing the need for a resolution that satisfies all parties involved. The ongoing debate surrounding these fines has sparked discussions within the golf community, with players expressing their dissatisfaction with the current penalties in place.