'A Massive Asset' - Rory McIlroy On Why Tyrrell Hatton Will Be Vital To Any European Success At The 2025 Ryder Cup
McIlroy praised Hatton for the method of his Dubai Desert Classic victory and said the Englishman will be "a massive asset for the Europeans" at the next Ryder Cup


World No.3 Rory McIlroy tipped his cap to the style of Tyrrell Hatton's Dubai Desert Classic victory this week and said that his performance at Emirates Golf Club proves why the LIV golfer is such a "massive asset for the Europeans" as they hunt an away Ryder Cup victory in New York later this year.
In a supremely strong field at the DP World Tour's opening event of 2025, Hatton out-performed the likes of McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood and Akshay Bhatia to secure the 13th pro title of his career.
Among that batch of victories has included any number of significant prizes, including the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational, a LIV Golf League triumph, and five Rolex Series wins on the DP World Tour.
But it was Hatton's latest success which fellow Ryder Cup teammate, McIlroy insisted proved just how strong the Englishman's mental fortitude is.
Even without the perfect game, the 33-year-old found a way of not only out-scoring some of the world's best but also edging past overnight leader Daniel Hillier on Sunday to win by one.
Tyrrell Hatton poses next to the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic trophy
Although, it was an achievement which could have looked very different if McIlroy had just started his sprint towards the finish line a little earlier. Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman - who finished three strokes back in a tie for fourth - took time afterwards to explain why he has so much respect for methods Hatton uses in finding success.
Referring to Hatton, McIlroy said: “Yeah, he’s got balls. He's become very consistent. You know, he does things his own way. He plays within his capabilities. He hits the ball very straight. He doesn't try to shape it really one way or another.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"He has his systems and ways he practices and he does a really good job at that. And he also doesn't give a flying fig what anyone else thinks, which is a really good attribute to have in the game. That’s why he’s so important in New York."
Whether Hatton is able to play at Bethpage Black in September is yet to be determined given his appeal over fines and suspensions imposed on him by the DP World Tour for playing in LIV Golf events without an official release.
McIlroy is hopeful that the Englishman will be a part of Luke Donald's dozen once again and emphasized just how crucial he feels Hatton is to Team Europe's chances of coming out on top.
The four-time Major winner continued: "Yeah, he'll be amazing in New York. I think he's proved that over the last three Ryder Cups. He's a massive asset for the Europeans.”
From Hatton's point of view, the two-time Ryder Cup winner is equally as keen to be on the plane to New York and hopes his outstanding recent run of form can set up an automatic qualification berth.
Since winning LIV Golf Nashville last summer, the Legion XIII man has gone on to lift his third Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and claim seven further top-10 finishes across multiple tours.
Hatton, who is only likely to play the four Majors as well as the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship in terms of DP World Tour events before the Ryder Cup, knows eye-catching results at the four biggest tournaments will likely determine whether he is an automatic selection or possibly relies on a captain's pick.
Speaking after winning the Dubai Desert Classic, Hatton said: "Well, I think the guys, Luke [Donald] and [Edoardo Molinari] and sort of the backroom staff, they kind of know what kind of golf that I can produce.
"I've still got the four Majors to continue earning points for the Ryder Cup. It's no secret that I really want to be on that team. I've automatically qualified for the previous three Ryder Cups, and I'd love to be able to keep that streak going.
"Yes, it's a lot harder for me now but winning the Dunhill and winning here this week, with this being a Rolex Series Event and more points available, puts me in a good position, but I still need to go play really well in the Majors. I still need to play well when I'm playing in the LIV events. That's what I'm going to try and do."

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Fourteen FRZ Wedge Review
-
‘From The First Weekend In April Until About Last Week, You Didn’t Want To Be Around Me. It Drove Me Nuts. It Ate At Me. I Haven’t Been Happy. It’s Been Very Irritating’ – Brooks Koepka Opens Up On Recent Major Struggles
Brooks Koepka opened up on the frustrations of some poor recent Major performances after bouncing back in the first round of the US Open
-
The Stats That Show Rory McIlroy Shouldn't Be Overlooked At Oakmont
Rory McIlroy has drifted in the markets for the US Open after missing the cut last week, but history suggests he may be worth keeping on side at Oakmont
-
From Shooting 81 To Playing Tennis And Changing His Driver Again - 5 Things Rory McIlroy Said Ahead Of The 2025 US Open
The five-time Major winner touched on a number of subjects in his press conference ahead of the US Open
-
Rory McIlroy Changes Driver Again Ahead Of US Open
After claiming he would be doing some driver testing following the RBC Canadian Open last week, McIlroy was spotted using his faithful TaylorMade Qi10 driver during a practice round at Oakmont
-
How Much Prize Money Has Rory McIlroy Won In 2025?
The World No.2 has claimed some significant titles this year and recorded a number of other high finishes - but how much prize money has he collected?
-
Joaquin Niemann Leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy As Golf's Top Earner In 2025 After LIV Golf Virginia Victory
The Chilean's fourth win of the year secured another $4 million and consequently catapulted Niemann to the top of the on-course earnings across all tours
-
Connor Syme Battles Rough Weather Conditions In The Netherlands To Land Maiden DP World Tour Title At KLM Open
The 29-year-old carded a closing 70 (-1) to reach 11-under and see off Sweden's Joakim Lagergren by two strokes at The International Golf Club in Amsterdam
-
'Of Course It Concerns Me. You Don't Want To Shoot High Scores Like The One I Did Today' - Rory McIlroy Endures Torrid Eight-Over-Par Round To Miss RBC Canadian Open Cut
After his eight-over 78 at TPC Toronto, McIlroy revealed he will be 'testing quite a few drivers over the weekend' as his attention turns to Oakmont and the US Open
-
Rory McIlroy Positive Over New Driver Despite Some Teething Problems Ahead Of US Open Test
Rory McIlroy remained positive about the new driver he's put in play, but saw some teething problems he'll have to straighten out before tackling the US Open