Tyrrell Hatton shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from holiday indulgence in wine and Guinness. The golf star humorously likened his performance to the Titanic while shooting a 70 in defense of his title in a wet January.
During their game, the Masters champion and his Ryder Cup teammate mainly chatted about the quality of wine they enjoyed over the holiday season rather than serious golf matters. Hatton humorously mentioned that McIlroy was shocked to learn about his weight gain, tipping the scales at 204 pounds on January 1st, a significant increase from his weight just before the Ryder Cup.
Reflecting on his December, Hatton admitted to limited training, no cardio, and a fair amount of drinking, particularly enjoying having a Guinness tap at home. Now, he aims to shed some weight by partaking in a “damp January” after a festive season of indulgence.
Known for his affinity for Guinness, Hatton had a history of savoring two to three pints a night during past golf challenges. Despite his lack of conditioning due to the upcoming LIV Golf tour, Hatton managed a solid performance with four birdies and two bogeys, trailing Francesco Molinari, the clubhouse leader, by five shots.
Commenting on his performance, Hatton acknowledged feeling rusty and stiff on the course, attributing it to limited recent play. McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who also played in the same group, focused on their game rather than discussing the fines associated with conflicting LIV Golf results.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Adrian Meronk expressed discontent over the fines imposed on players participating in non-affiliated tours, emphasizing the need for a resolution between the different golfing bodies.