ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Tyrrell Hatton has never been shy about wearing his emotions on his sleeve, and Friday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship was no exception. The fiery Englishman provided both entertainment and exasperation as he battled Yas Links, carding a frustrating even-par 72 that left him eight shots off the pace set by compatriots Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai.
Hatton, a Ryder Cup hero known for his fierce competitiveness and occasional on-course outbursts, endured a rollercoaster round defined by missed putts, bunker trouble, and one viral moment that perfectly encapsulated his fiery persona.
A Round Filled with Emotion
It all began on the 11th hole, where Hatton missed a seven-foot putt that would have saved bogey. As the ball lipped out, he turned to the crowd with a wry grin and offered his putter to the gallery, joking, “Anyone fancy having a go for me?”
Laughter rippled through the spectators, and social media quickly lit up with clips of the exchange. Within hours, golf fans across the world were sharing and commenting on the moment — a quintessentially Hatton mix of humor and frustration.
But behind the lighthearted gesture was a deeper irritation. According to Sky Sports on-course commentator Wayne Riley, Hatton’s “dummy-spit” wasn’t just about the missed putt. “The reason why Tyrrell was having a little blow-up was because he wanted to speak to a referee to complain about the pin placement,” Riley explained.
It remains unclear whether Hatton ever got the conversation with officials he was seeking, but his mood hardly improved as the round went on.
Breaking Point at 17
The defining moment of his day came at the par-three 17th, where Hatton’s tee shot landed mere inches from perfection — only to trickle agonizingly into the greenside bunker.
That near-miss proved too much for the fiery 34-year-old. In a flash of frustration, Hatton slammed his five-iron against the tee marker, snapping the club in half. It was a scene reminiscent of his earlier career blow-ups — a reminder that even the game’s elite can still be driven mad by golf’s cruel margins.
To his credit, Hatton immediately composed himself, producing a brilliant up-and-down from the sand to save par. It was a moment that showcased both his volatility and his talent — equal parts fury and finesse.
Grinding to the Finish
From there, Hatton steadied the ship, closing with six pars before a double bogey on the 18th capped a turbulent round. His score of 72 left him at six-under for the tournament, eight shots behind co-leaders Fleetwood and Rai, who sit atop the leaderboard at 14-under-par.
Despite the setback, Hatton’s competitive fire remains undimmed. He was seen signing autographs and joking with fans after his round, seemingly aware that his on-course theatrics had once again stolen headlines.
“I just care a lot,” Hatton has said in the past about his fiery demeanor. “Sometimes that shows more than it should, but that’s me. I want to win.”
Fleetwood, Rai Set the Pace
While Hatton’s frustrations drew attention, it was Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai who quietly stole the show in Abu Dhabi. The English duo each carded rounds of 66, moving to 14-under and opening up a two-shot lead over the chasing pack.
Fleetwood, who won this event in 2017 and 2018, looks poised to challenge for a third Abu Dhabi crown, while Rai continues to impress with his steady ball-striking and calm demeanor.
With the weekend approaching, all eyes will remain on Yas Links — both for Fleetwood’s bid to reclaim his title and for whether Hatton can channel his fiery passion into a charge up the leaderboard.
For now, though, Hatton’s day will be remembered not for the scorecard, but for a broken club, a missed putt, and a very human moment that once again reminded fans why golf’s emotional characters are so compelling.
