Hatton full of smiles as flurry of eagles earns halfway lead in desert opener
In the latest of the European Tour’s celebrated social media spoofs, Tyrrell Hatton plays the lead role in “Angry Golfers”, a skit about a number of famous pros attending a therapy group for their on-course tantrums. However, after two days of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, it is fair to say Hatton is blissfully content and that it is his rivals who may need some support.
When Hatton left Abu Dhabi Golf Club last night, he was 12 under and five shots clear of his nearest pursuers, a group including Rory Mcilroy.
But, as Hatton pointed out: “I can’t get ahead of myself because I haven’t even finished my second round yet.” The fog delays of Thursday meant that half the field had to come back to finish off.
Hatton’s golf over his first 13 holes left little doubt that he would emerge as half-way leader by lunchtime, and if anything will take him to the Falcon Trophy it is eagles. He recorded two in his first-round 65 and another on the second yesterday, before he reeled off four birdies in succession from the seventh.
On days such as this it is barely credible that Hatton has a reputation for hot-headedness. No doubt the 29-year-old has improved over the past few years, with the employment of no-nonsense caddie Mick Donaghy, but in truth the critics have often failed to distinguish between self-admonishment and brattish behaviour.
Hatton is one of the most laidback characters outside of the ropes,
‘It’s great that I have come out of the blocks running in 2021’
without a hint of arrogance, which can be seen in his willingness to accept being the butt of the joke of the Tour’s social media department.
“I’ve always been one to take the mick out of myself,” Hatton said. “The video is being released by the Tour this weekend and maybe that’s not the best timing, because I’m acting pretty comfortably out there. But then, I’d be a bit worried if I was flying off the handle in the first two rounds of the opening tournament of the year.”
Hatton is carrying over the form he displayed in 2020, when the 29-year-old enjoyed his best year to date. He claimed his first PGA Tour title when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitation in Orlando and then, following the lockdown resumption, triumphed in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“It’s great that I’ve kind of come out of the blocks running in 2021 and I’m just hoping that can continue,” he said. “What’s surprised me has been the strength of my short game, because I’ve been concentrating mainly on my long game in practice these last few weeks.”
A third victory in 10 months would carry Hatton into the world’s top five, but former world No1 Mcilroy is still in contention, despite some scrappy stuff, as he went through his 14 holes in one over. The Ulsterman is still in touch alongside France’s Romain Langasque (who has two to play), Australia’s Jason Scrivener and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.
Tommy Fleetwood, a two-time winner here, highlighted the difference a day can make. He was three over after 10 holes when the hooter sounded on Thursday, but returned to play his next 25 holes in a bogeyless nine under. “I’m back in the tournament,” said Fleetwood, after a 67 took him to six under. “It’s just the way this game goes.”