Professional golfer Tyrrell Hatton humorously shared how he outperformed Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic following a festive season of indulging in wine and Guinness. Hatton, ranked 21st in the world, jokingly recounted McIlroy’s shock upon learning that he had gained weight over the holidays, tipping the scales at 204 pounds, a full stone heavier than his weight just before the Ryder Cup.
Reflecting on his December festivities, Hatton admitted to minimal training, no cardio, and plenty of drinking, including enjoying his personal Guinness tap. Despite the jovial tone, Hatton acknowledged the need to shed some weight, opting for a “damp January” approach to cutting back on alcohol and hitting the gym.
Known for his affinity for Guinness, Hatton’s lack of conditioning due to the upcoming LIV Golf tour did not hinder his performance in the tournament, where he managed four birdies and two bogeys. Although feeling rusty and stiff on the course, Hatton expressed determination to perform at his best.
In the same group, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood shot 73s but avoided discussing fines related to conflicting LIV Golf tour results. The ongoing debate over these fines also involves Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who, like Hatton and Jon Rahm, questions the fairness of penalizing players for competing elsewhere.
Meronk emphasized the need for a resolution between tours to address the contentious issue of fines, highlighting the discontent among players. The ongoing discussions surrounding these fines underscore the challenges faced by golfers navigating conflicting tour obligations in the sport.
