Tyrrell Hatton had a simple message written on his glove for himself at the DP World Tour – “be nice”.
The Team Europe Ryder Cup star has a growing reputation for his fiery behaviour on the golf course and his antics once again distracted from his performance at the Dubai Event. The LIV golfer sparked fury when he missed the green in the 14th hole of the third round, before immediately pushing his iron into the ground and snapping it in frustration.
Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray instantly tore into him, insisting it’s “time for change” and branding him a “terrible influence” on the next generation. Other prominent voices, such as former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, were also heavily critical. And Hatton, who goes into the final day of the tournament nine under par, tied in eighth place and six shots behind leader Rory McIlroy, appears to have responded.
As he teed off, cameras spotted a two-word message on his gloves – ‘be nice’ with a smiley face. It comes after Hatton also sparked the ire of golf fans with a scathing rant about the 18th hole at the Jumeirah Golf Estates course, branding it ‘awful’ and saying he “despises everything’ about it”. His outspoken, at-times aggressive behaviour is far from popular among many fans and pundits.
Speaking after the infamous club snap, commentator Murray said: “Oh no. It is time for change I am afraid. That is a terrible influence on the next generation. I am sorry to say and I am his biggest fan as a golfer. Just have a look at this. Why? Why would you do that.”
And McGinley, who captained Europe to glory in 2014, said of the Englishman: “Tyrrell is not the bad guy he comes across here. But his behaviour is not acceptable from what we have seen. I think tonight when he cools down, and his team and wife have words with him, there will be a lot of humble pie. He will be really embarrassed with what he did today and how behaved.
“He will know, you almost hit rock bottom before you decide you have got to do something about this, and I think this could be a day where he realises, ‘You know, I have got to change. This is not acceptable’.”
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