Tyrrell Hatton is well in the mix at the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course, but this did not stop the Englishman from venting his frustrations in round two
Tyrrell Hatton took aim at the 18th hole at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course whilst competing around the track at this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
Hatton – who made the move to LIV Golf at the start of the season – is back in DP World Tour action having impressed on the Wentworth-based circuit in recent weeks. Victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last month and a runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi last week saw him punch his ticket into the season-ending event in Dubai.
And his impressive form on his return has continued in the Middle East, with the Legion XIII member sat second in the leaderboard at eight-under-par alongside Rory McIlroy, one shot back of leader, Antoine Rozner.
Having kicked off with a five-under 67 on Thursday, Hatton added to his tally in round two, making four birdies on the way to shooting a three-under 69 to leave him well in the mix. Despite playing some impressive golf, the ever-vocal Hatton could not hide his frustrations throughout his second round, especially when it came to the final hole of his day at the par-five 18th.
The last at the Earth Course has become synonymous on the DP World Tour, with the circuit’s campaign coming to an end up the 600-plus yard par-five. Known for both its beauty and risk-and-reward setup, the hole has a number of landing spots throughout, as a water hazard slaloms through the fairway and up to the green.
One man who is not a fan of the hole planning however is Hatton, and he made his feelings known on Friday. Having found the fairway with his tee shot, the Englishman opted to lay-up and not go from the green in two, something he was clearly not happy with. Stood over shot and talking his caddie, Hatton was heard commenting: “Everything about this hole I despise. A truly awful golf hole.”
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Hatton’s lay-up left him a wedge into the green, and despite finding the putting surface, he failed to convert with birdie, settling for a five to sign for a 69. Whilst the LIV star was less than pleased with the finish, he still finds himself in a strong spot heading into the weekend.
Despite sitting comfortably in the leaderboard, Hatton’s frustrations continued post-round, commenting: “Pretty similar thing to yesterday to be honest in terms of just not feeling very comfortable. Yeah, just every shot felt like a bit of a struggle, I guess.
“Three-under is a pretty acceptable score, all things considered but naturally you always kind of — you want to be better. So yeah, I guess it’s fair to say I’m pretty frustrated.” Chasing down a second DP World Tour win in three events, he went on: “Well, taking the positives from two days where I don’t feel like I’ve played the kind of golf I’m capable of, and we’re one shot off the lead going into the weekend.
“So yeah, hopefully I can find something and hit it a little bit better. That would make this weekend a little bit more exciting for me, but yeah, I’ll go out there tomorrow and give it my best as I have done the last two days, and just hope something clicks.”
