Tyrrell Hatton remains in the hunt to win the DP World Tour Championship, but his efforts at the season finale have not been without controversy, especially in round three
Tyrrell Hatton was slammed by Sky Sports Golf commentator Ewen Murray, after the LIV Golf star was seen snapping a club during the third round of the DP World Tour Championship.
Hatton – who has made his return to the Tour in recent months – is looking to win his second event in three starts, having prevailed in the at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for a third time last month. A runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi last weekend has since been followed up with more impressive golf this week.
After 54 holes, the Englishman finds himself well in the hunt at the Earth Course, sitting nine-under-par in sixth, just three shots back of the leading pack of Rory McIlroy, Antoine Rozner and Rasmus Hojgaard.
Despite being in the mix, Hatton’s frustrations have been clear throughout the week, no more so than in his third round on Saturday. Having laid up on the par-five 14th, the Englishman hit his third shot from the middle of the fairway but failed to find his best, missing the green left.
Ever the fiery character, Hatton was less than impressed than his effort, and decided to take his frustrations out on his club, snapping the shaft in two. It is nothing new to see the LIV star’s temper boil over on the golf course, but this time around commentator Murray was left disgusted by his actions.
“Oh no. It is time for change I am afraid,” the veteran caller said of Hatton’s antics. “That is a terrible influence on the next generation. I am sorry to say and I am his biggest fan as a golfer.” As a highlight of the club break was shown on screen, Murray added: “Just have a look at this.
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“Why? Why would you do that.” In typical Hatton fashion he then showed the other side of his game just moments later, making amends of his earlier mistake by chipping in for birdie with the very next shot. The birdie at 14 would be his last of the day, as Hatton parred his way in to sign for a one-under 71.
Commentator, Murray was not the only man to criticise Hatton’s actions, with Sky Sports pundit – and former Ryder Cup captain – Paul McGinley highliting the Englishman’s poor etiquette. “Tyrrell is not the bad guy he comes across here,” McGinley explained: “But his behaviour is not acceptable from what we have seen.
“I think tonight when he cools down, and his team and wife have words with him, there will be a lot of humble pie. He will be really embarrassed with what he did today and how behaved. He will know, you almost hit rock bottom before you decide you have got to do something about this, and I think this could be a day where he realises, ‘You know, I have got to change. This is not acceptable’.”
