Tyrrell Hatton fires back at armchair critics

Tyrrell Hatton insists he won’t change his volatility on the course to appease armchair critics. 

Speaking in the December edition of bunkered, Hatton opened up on a wide range of issues – including his last-minute move to LIV Golf, Ryder Cup aspirations, and criticism about his game.

The Englishman has won twice this year, breaking a three-year drought at LIV’s Nashville event in June before claiming a third Dunhill Links victory at the Old Course last month.

Throughout his rise, Hatton has remained the relatable golfer with the most unrelatable talent. His fiery antics and outbursts of exasperation still punctuate every round of golf he plays.

But with his contrariness, and sometimes petulance on the fairways and greens, comes cynicism over Hatton’s temperament. 

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“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Hatton told bunkered. “Unfortunately it’s just the sad state of the world where people like being very negative towards guys that they see on TV.

“They don’t know them personally. They’re quite happy to dish out as much negativity towards that person as they want to. It’s not going to change who I am. I’m just being me. It is what it is.”

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Hatton explained that he found out early on in the junior ranks that pessimism on the course is – against all common advice – actually what makes him tick.

“I’ve always been that way since I was a kid,” he added. “Just quite expressive and you always know where you stand with me. Ultimately, I’m just out there trying my best and I want everything to be perfect and I get frustrated with myself and other things when it’s not. 

“Sometimes I’ll say something positive and it just turns to s***. I’m better off just being negative and it can only get better from there.”

• Get the full exclusive interview with Tyrrell Hatton in the December edition of bunkered, on-sale now from all good newsagents. Alternatively, click here to subscribe and never miss an edition. International subscriptions are also available.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.