Professional golfer Tyrrell Hatton shared that he surpassed Rory McIlroy in scoring at the Dubai Desert Classic after indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. Hatton humorously mentioned feeling as rigid as the Titanic during his first round defense of his title in January.
During an 18-hole game with McIlroy, the focus was on their holiday wine consumption rather than golf strategy. Hatton jokingly revealed his weight gain, weighing 204 pounds on January 1st, up from 190 pounds before the Ryder Cup.
Acknowledging his festive indulgence in December with minimal exercise and ample drinking, Hatton humorously described his plan to shed the extra weight through a “damp January” approach. Noting his inclination to enjoy life, he acknowledged the need to hit the gym and cut back on alcohol.
Known for his fondness for Guinness, Hatton reminisced about his previous Open challenge and Ryder Cup qualification celebration involving the Irish stout. Despite his lack of conditioning for the upcoming LIV Golf tour, Hatton managed a decent performance in his first competitive round of 2026.
Reflecting on his physical stiffness and rusty gameplay, Hatton expressed determination to perform at his best despite feeling out of practice. McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who also played in the same group, focused on golf rather than discussing fines related to conflicting LIV Golf results.
Polish golfer Adrian Meronk echoed Hatton’s discontent over fines imposed for playing on different tours, calling for a fair resolution between the tours involved. The ongoing debate surrounding fines has stirred up mixed opinions among players, highlighting the need for a collaborative agreement among the tours.
As discussions continue, players navigate the complexities of tour regulations while striving to excel on the golf course.