English pro preps for Irish Open by doing something he’s (somehow) never done before

While the PGA Tour may have the most talent top to bottom, the European Tour offers a superior cultural experience. Euro pros travel all over the world for tournaments, allowing them to indulge in local culture, food and, presumably, drinks. European Tour star Tyrrell Hatton is an exception.

Hatton is in Ireland this week for the Irish Open at iconic Lahinch Golf Club, and a single Instagram post revealed that the three-time Euro Tour winner is lacking experience in certain areas.

Hatton posted a seemingly innocuous picture of himself taking a long swig from a pint of Guinness in a local pub in Lahinch. It’s the kind of thing any first-time tourist would do in Ireland. But it’s the caption that should raise eyebrows. Hatton wrote, “I can confirm I am no longer a Guinness virgin ? #dreamy.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bza6mnJH2wq/

You read that right. Somehow Hatton, a 27-year-old Englishman, has never tried a Guinness before in his life. You might expect such a thing from someone like Bubba Watson, but not a well-traveled Euro Tour pro. Sure Hatton’s from across the Irish Sea, but Guinness isn’t just the best-selling alcoholic drink in Ireland, it can be found in over 120 countries. And while it famously originated in Dublin, Ireland, its headquarters are in London.

Hopefully Hatton has showed more cultural knowledge and sensitivity in the far-flung countries he’s visited at other times on Tour. But with the Open Championship’s return to Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush in two weeks, he should have plenty of time to drink as much Guinness as he likes.

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