MR ANGRY’S ALL SMILES
It’s so rosy in Hatton garden with big lead
THE ANGRY Golfer was transformed into the Happy Golfer as Tyrrell Hatton opened a yawning lead in Abu Dhabi.
On the day the European Tour released a spoof video depicting a moody Hatton attending an anger management class, the world No9 was all smiles in real life after leaving the rest of the field – including Rory McIlroy – for dead.
Temper tantrums are part of the Marlow pro’s make up, but he found little to grumble about after sprinting five shots clear of McIlroy and a group of three other players.
Hatton’s red-hot putting and touch around the greens – showcased by a stone-dead chip from the rough to set up a fourth birdie in a row at the 10th – put him five under for the second round with five holes to go when darkness fell.
“I’m in a great position. It was tough out there so I’m really happy to be five under,” said Hatton, who carded his third eagle of the event at the second hole.
“I holed some nice putts and there were a couple of par putts towards the end which kept a bit of momentum going.
“Over the last three weeks I was mainly focusing on my long game, so it’s a little bit of a surprise to see my short game as good as it has been the last two days.” It was a day to forget for McIlroy, who fought his swing in the wind and was one over for 14 holes.
The Northern Irishman will hope the 20-foot birdie putt he made at the 14th – his last completed hole – has stopped the bleeding.
One shot further back in joint sixth spot is Tommy Fleetwood, left, following an amazing turnaround. He shot nine under for the 27 holes he played, turning a fight to make the cut into a weekend scrap for the title he won in 2017 and 2018.
The cut will be made when the second round is completed this morning, with world No3 Justin Thomas one shot inside the line with four holes remaining.