Tyrrell Hatton's hopes of Open Championship glory suffered a crushing blow as the Englishman carded a disappointing 73 in the opening round at Royal Troon. The LIV Golf star, who was among the pre-tournament favourites, now faces an uphill battle to make the cut.
LIV Golfers Struggle on Scottish Links
The Saudi-backed circuit's players endured a torrid time on the windswept Ayrshire coast, with Hatton's round featuring just two birdies against five bogeys. The 32-year-old's frustration was evident as he failed to capitalise on the more forgiving front nine.
Royal Troon Proves Brutal Test
The historic links showed its teeth on Thursday, with only a handful of players breaking par. Hatton's driving accuracy deserted him at crucial moments, finding just 7 of 14 fairways in challenging conditions that saw gusts reach 25mph.
Can Hatton Mount a Comeback?
While not mathematically out of contention, Hatton needs something special on Friday to avoid joining the list of high-profile casualties. The former Ryder Cup star must improve significantly on his 39.3% greens in regulation statistic if he's to play at the weekend.
Other LIV Golf representatives fared little better, with only three players from the breakaway tour currently inside the projected cut line. The performance raises fresh questions about the preparedness of LIV players for golf's most demanding tests.
