Tyrrell Hatton had some explaining to do after Saturday’s third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Hatton shot a 4-under 68 at Emirates Golf Club and will enter the competition on Sunday just one shot off Daniel Hillier’s lead. But tournament officials had other business with Hatton in the scoring area, where they questioned the temperamental Englishman about an incident on the par-3 seventh hole, specifically the cutting of a plastic tee marker.
Hatton quickly admitted taking two frustrated hits with the bat on the square mark.
“Just a little frustration” – Hatton he said Observer Later. “He probably shouldn’t have done it. Does this make me a bad person? NO. It was just spur of the moment and it happened. I can’t go back and change it, so move on. I was told this in the score. I have no problem with what was said. I realize this isn’t the right thing to do, but in the heat of frustration you do things you probably don’t want to do. I won’t let this bother me for the rest of the day.
“If this is the worst thing I do as a human being, then it’s not that bad.”
🚨🤬🪓 NEW: Tyrrell Hatton was questioned by tournament officials after causing frustration on the 7th hole in Dubai by destroying a plastic tee marker with his golf club.
“Just a little frustration. He probably shouldn’t have done it. Does this make me a bad person? NO. This… pic.twitter.com/cx7D4jn2Oe
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 18, 2025
Hatton found the green on the seventh hole, where he two-putted from 48 feet for par. He is eyeing his second DP World Tour victory since joining LIV Golf almost a year ago.
If he wins his first title in Dubai on Sunday, part of his winnings will certainly go towards a fine.
