Tyrrell Hatton shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The golf star humorously described himself as feeling as inflexible as the Titanic during his initial round at the tournament to defend his title in a wet January.
The Masters champion had advised his Ryder Cup colleague to cover the fines for participating in the Saudi-backed competition to remain eligible for the European team in a pre-event media briefing. However, during their round together, Hatton mentioned that their conversation revolved around the quality of wine they enjoyed over the holidays.
Laughing about his weight gain, Hatton disclosed that he weighed 204 pounds (14st 6lbs) on January 1st, which he found to be quite substantial for his height of 5’8”. He acknowledged adding about a stone compared to his weight just before the Ryder Cup.
Reflecting on his festive season, Hatton admitted to focusing more on weight gain than fitness, enjoying a generous amount of alcohol consumption but minimal cardio exercise. He jokingly referred to his decision to participate in a “damp January” after the indulgent December, highlighting his intention to cut down on alcohol and hit the gym for weight loss.
Known for his affinity for Guinness, Hatton shared instances of his past encounters with the drink, including celebrating with multiple pints during the Open challenge at Royal Portrush. Despite his lack of conditioning, Hatton managed to achieve four birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of 2026, trailing behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari by five shots.
Acknowledging his rusty performance, Hatton expressed his struggles with flexibility and backswing but remained determined to deliver his best on the golf course. McIlroy and Fleetwood, who played alongside Hatton, refrained from discussing the fines associated with conflicting LIV Golf results during their round.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Adrian Meronk echoed Hatton and Rahm’s concerns over the fines imposed on LIV Golf players for competing in other tournaments, emphasizing the need for fair agreements between the tours involved.
In summary, the golfing community continues to navigate challenges around conflicting tour schedules and fines, with players like Hatton balancing their competitive spirit with the need for physical readiness on the course.