Tyrrell Hatton Admits He's Not A Ryder Cup Certainty After LIV Golf Move
Tyrrell Hatton is under no illusions about the fact his Ryder Cup future is uncertain, even with calls for fellow LIV Golf player Jon Rahm to be selected for the 2025 match
Tyrrell Hatton has represented Team Europe in each of the last three Ryder Cups, and was one of the heroes as Luke Donald’s side comprehensively beat the US at Marco Simone last year, collecting 3.5 points from his four matches.
He would ordinarily be a strong candidate for an appearance at the 2025 encounter at Bethpage Black, but he has admitted his recent move to LIV Golf could have left his Ryder Cup future in the balance.
In an interview with The Telegraph’s Golf Correspondent James Corrigan, Hatton first admitted that it is virtually inconceivable that another new LIV Golf signing, Legion XIII teammate Jon Rahm, would miss out. He said: “Jon’s in a different position to me - you can’t really imagine the European Ryder Cup team without Jon.”
Following Rahm’s move to LIV Golf, Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy called for the rules to be rewritten to enable him to play in 2025. However, even though Hatton forged a successful partnership with the Spaniard in their two foursomes matches last year, winning both, he admitted he's not in the same category as the two-time Major winner.
He continued: “It’s nice to hear your team-mates say nice things about you and your contribution but when you talk about the Ryder Cup ‘certainties’ or whatever, in my own mind, I don’t feel that I’m up there in that bracket with those guys. I’m sorry, I’m just not and can’t rely on my reputation.”
Despite knowing his future at the match would be uncertain with a move to LIV Golf, Hatton also revealed he sought advice from both McIlroy and Donald before making the switch.
”I spoke to Rory, Luke and others, figures who I really respect and whose opinions I wanted to take on board, to see about where things might be going in the game,” he said. “Of course, they couldn’t give me any assurances, because nobody can, but their opinions were valuable.”
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.
Hatton also revealed that there had been no bitterness towards him from the rest of the 2023 Ryder Cup team. He said: “Luke can only control what he can control and he’s right when saying there are consequences for actions. But he has been supportive. They all have. I’m still on the team’s WhatsApp and haven’t felt any bitterness. Nobody has judged me.”
If Hatton does find his path to future Ryder Cup appearances hampered, he’ll not be the first European LIV Golf player who has faced similar difficulties, with legends of the match Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and record points scorer Sergio Garcia all excluded from last year’s edition.
For now, Hatton will be focused on his second LIV Golf appearance as it visits Las Vegas for the first time, with the first of its three rounds beginning on 8 February.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Banned From LPGA After Gender Policy Update
The LPGA has updated a key policy meaning that from the 2025 season, athletes who transitioned following puberty will not be allowed to play in its competitions
By Mike Hall Published
-
PuttOut Medium Putting Mat Review
Sam De’Ath discusses how the PuttOut Medium putting mat can help you hole more putts
By Sam De'Ath Published