Fit’s a great start

HATTON: EXERCISE KEY TO GOOD FORM

TYRRELL HATTON says he is calmer and happier for hitting the gym after sharing the first round lead at the BMW PGA.

The Ryder Cup star admitted he had been “self- conscious” about his body image before starting a new fitness regime in January.

And the world No.15 said looking and feeling better has improved his game – and helped control his fiery temper.

After shooting an op e n i ng 66 at Wentworth yesterday he said: “I’ve put in quite a lot of work in the gym which is stuff I haven’t really done previously.

“It wasn’t anything to help my golf to be honest. It was just for my own benefit.

“I was always quite a self- conscious person anyway, and I didn’t like how I looked.

“Obviously being in a sport brand, you want to look good in clothing.

The stage that I got to, I felt like I definitely didn’t. Just for my own benefit to make myself feel good, I started in the gym and I’ve enjoyed that process.

“And I definitely play better if I feel better.

“I feel if you’re in a good place, like for me, if I’m obviously happier, I’m going to be calmer on the golf course urse and that’s ’s obviously y going to help me, as well.

“I felt pretty relaxed d out there.”

Hatton, who had wrist surgery at the end of last year, won his first PGA Tour event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the last event before lockdown.

He spent more than eight months in the USA before heading home to Marlow after missing the cut at the US Open.

“I think that’s just having my home comforts again,” he said.

“I’ve loved the last two- and- a- half weeks I’ve spent in the UK.

“The first thing I did when I got home was bacon sandwich, cup of tea, then we had a curry at night. There’s no place like home, so it was just good to be back.”

South African Justin Harding and Spain’s Adri Arnaus also shot a sixunder 66, with Eddie Pepp Pepperell ( left) an and Op e n c champ Shane Lowry on 67.

Justin Rose carded a 68, w whi le hi s pl playing partner Ian Poulter had on-course treatment for a back problem but still finished on 69.

World No. 9 Patrick Reed pulled a wedge from 107 yards into water on his final hole – the 8th – to take a double bogey on his way to a two-under 70.

Tommy Fleetwood made four bogeys in his first seven holes – but closed with three birdies for a 71.