Tyrrell Hatton has dismissed any notion of tension with Rory McIlroy after the pair were grouped together at the Dubai Desert Classic, revealing that their conversation centred on wine rather than the fines McIlroy had recently mentioned.
McIlroy had used his pre-tournament media duties to suggest that Hatton and Jon Rahm should settle their seven-figure penalties with the European Tour Group over their participation in LIV Golf. Yet after an opening round in which they were paired together, Hatton said the subject never came up. "We didn't really talk about that," he said. "It was me mainly asking if he had any good wine over Christmas."
Hatton also disclosed that McIlroy was taken aback by his weight, which stood at 204lb on New Year's Day. "Which at 5ft 8in is aggressive," Hatton said. "Just before the Ryder Cup, I was 190lb. So what's that, another stone I'd put on. I enjoyed my December, zero cardio and a lot of drinking."
The Englishman made clear that he holds no grudge over McIlroy's comments. "I ended up seeing what was said," Hatton added. "And as he said, that's his opinion. Everyone is allowed an opinion. I guess something will get sorted, hopefully, soon."
On the course, Hatton carded a two-under-par 70 despite admitting to feeling far from fluent. "I was turning like the Titanic out there," he said. "I can't move, I still feel pretty stiff." McIlroy struggled to a 73, with Tommy Fleetwood also posting that score in the same group. Francesco Molinari, meanwhile, impressed with a 65 and backed Luke Donald to remain as Europe's Ryder Cup captain, although Donald withdrew from the event due to illness.
