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Rory McIlroy heaped praise on Dubai Desert Classic winner Tyrrell Hatton – because the Englishman “doesn’t give a flying fig.”
Hatton, who was under fire after smashing up a tee box marker during his third round, claimed his fifth Rolex Series victory and his second in five DP World Tour starts at the Emirates Club on Sunday.
The fiery 33-year-old held off New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier – and a late charge from McIlroy – down the stretch to bank the £1.3million prize and crucial Ryder Cup points as the LIV player seeks an automatic berth in Luke Donald’s European side.
“He’s become very consistent,” McIlroy told reporters as Hatton closed in on the title on the Majlis course. “He does things his own way. He plays within his capabilities.
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“He hits the ball very straight, he doesn’t try to shape it really one way or another. Hits it really straight and it looks like he has his sort of systems and the way he practices.
“He does a really good job at that. He also doesn’t give a flying fig what anyone else thinks which is a really good attribute to have in the game.”
All of which are credentials that will surely prove useful come September at a raucous Bethpage Black?
“He’ll be amazing in New York,” McIlroy added. “He’s proved that over the last three Ryder Cups. He’s a massive asset for the European team.”
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McIlroy saved his best until last around the Majlis course with a final round 66, but ultimately came up three short in third after a blitz of five birdies down the stretch.
“I probably just left myself a bit too much to do after three days,” McIlroy said. “I had chances, and I was burning the edges. I feel like I got progressively better as the week went on, which bodes well for obviously the next few weeks.”
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