Hatton is taking inspiration from pal Fitzpatrick
MONDAY morning after the US Open and Tyrrell Hatton decided to break with his customary routine. He headed to the practice ground. call it the Matt Fitzpatrick effect.
Hatton was never one of those who believed the secrets of the game were to be found in the dirt, but put his change of heart down partly to being transfixed by Fitzpatrick’s victory the previous evening.
‘It was incredible, wasn’t it?’ he said. ‘I was so happy for him and his family — I think I was more nervous than he was! That was part of the motivation for wanting to go out and practice more.
‘I’ve been friends and played alongside Fitzy for years and here he was, providing all the proof we needed that guys like us can be major champions. I’m sure I speak for the other English guys — it was inspirational and made us want to go out and try to win majors ourselves.’
Hatton’s first opportunity will come on an Old course where, alongside Tiger Woods, he is the only player in the field to have won two professional titles.
‘As much as I value my two wins in the Dunhill Links championship, I’d happily swap them for his two claret Jugs, if Tiger’s willing,’ he said, drily.
It was at St Andrews, aged just 18, that Hatton made his Open debut in 2010 after coming through qualifying.
‘I was terrified!’ recalled the 30-year-old from Marlow. ‘I remember going to the range and putting my bag down next to all the guys I’d been watching on TV. I stood next to Angel cabrera, who had won the Masters and the US Open. You can imagine the nerves. Then, when it all starts, I’m in the wrong half of the draw. Instead of a three iron and a flick with a wedge at the first, I hit a drive and six iron. It was mental, but still an amazing experience, even though I missed the cut. It convinced me to keep going and become a pro.’
Hatton first came to prominence during this equivalent fortnight in Scotland in 2016, following up a second place at the Scottish Open with a strong performance in the Open at Troon.
‘I wouldn’t say I ever felt in contention because that was the year when Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson appeared to be playing another course, with their sensational scoring,’ he said.
‘But I finished fifth and it did feel like the launch pad for my career. It was the first time I’d made the cut in the Open and it was good to know I could do well in the biggest event of all.’
With victories in tournaments with the prestige of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the BMW
PGA championship, it is something of a surprise that Hatton has never really been in contention for a major on a Sunday afternoon. Then again, it had never happened for Fitzpatrick until he followed up his near miss at the US PGA championship in May with his breakthrough triumph last month.
Former Ryder cup captain Paul McGinley believes it will happen for Hatton one day.
‘We’ve seen more than enough from Tyrrell to know he’s fearless when he has a chance of winning,’ said the Dubliner. ‘I’m convinced he will win a major.’ Fitzpatrick broke his duck at Brookline, where he followed up his victory in the 2013 US Amateur by showing the virtue of the old saying about horses for courses. Something else, perhaps, for Hatton to use as inspiration as he returns to his most successful stomping ground.