Tyrrell Hatton wants playoff to decide tied Ryder Cup

As the fallout from Europe’s retention of the Solheim Cup last weekend continues, Tyrrell Hatton has called for the introduction of a playoff to settle a tied Ryder Cup.

Suzann Pettersen’s side retained the Solheim Cup in Andalucia on Sunday courtesy of a thrilling 14-14 tie with the USA – the first in the event’s history.

That has prompted many, United States captain Stacy Lewis amongst them, to call for the introduction of something to settle the outcome one way or the other.

Such an outcome has only ever happened twice in the Ryder Cup, in 1989 at Royal Birkdale and at The Belfry in 1989.

• Concerns raised for caddies at Marco Simone

• A Ryder Cup in Saudi Arabia? Don’t rule it out…

Meeting the media at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome this morning, Hatton, making his third appearance for Team Europe, admitted he’d be disappointed to see the Ryder Cup finish honours even.

“Tying is probably not ideal,” said the Englishman. “I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting in like a playoff, if that was to happen.

“I think it would be pretty exciting for fans, and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere. Playing in front of home fans is always special but I think that would add something to it.”

• Rich Beem weighs in on LIV golfers playing in Ryder Cup

• DeChambeau fires dig at US skipper Johnson

He added: “I think you probably have the time to do it because singles you start probably fairly later in the day compared to fourballs and foursomes, but yeah, maybe just having the tee times starting a bit earlier on Sunday would allow for, I don’t know, a nine-hole better-ball, two players best-ball sort of playoff format. I don’t know, I’m just like sort of thinking as I speak.

“I think that would be a lot more exciting than just that’s a tie like, oh, such-and-such retain the Cup. I don’t think that’s the best thing.”

Hatton’s teammate Justin Rose, however, sees it somewhat differently.

“History is so important,” said the former US Open champion. “It’s quite nice to wrestle it back fair and square. You have to win it to get the Cup back.

“I think the Ashes in cricket, retaining the Ashes is a big thing. In cricket, you can have rain that can interrupt and cause draws and things. But retaining it, not letting the other team have the trophy I think can be a win, so therefore, sometimes the tie is still relevant in my mind.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor