Tyrrell Hatton, save for a few holes, was in fine form on Thursday — both in regards to his play and his typical self-deprecating analysis of his own game.
Hatton shot a two-under 70 to open the European Tour’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. He’s tied for 20th and five back of leader Rory McIlroy, but just three back of second place.
Hatton’s day started off well, making birdies on 2 and 3, but he hit a poor tee shot on the long par-3 4th. Lucky for us, we got to hear all about it. The 4th played 245 yards on Thursday, and Hatton hit an iron left and well short of the green. As soon as he realized where it was going, he did his patented club flip, with commentary to follow.
“What a strike that is,” he deadpanned.
The ball landed in the bunker.
“That deserved to actually plug and to never be seen again,” he said, as he went to pick up his discarded club. “That’s actually disgusting.”
He added one final jab as he walked off the tee. “If that was a blade I reckon I would’ve missed the entire golf ball.”
Hatton blasted out of the bunker and two-putted from 33 feet for bogey. He later made double on the next par-3 he saw, the 6th hole, although we didn’t get commentary for that one. Maybe next time.