Hatt’s put Phil in shade
RYDER CUP STAR TYRRELL OUTSHINES MICKELSON... AS RAHM RAGES IN RAIN
TYRRELL HATTON went from a “mad” start to beating “legend” Phil Mickelson at the US PGA – as Jon Rahm battled his temper in the rain.
World No.17 Hatton opened with a 77 but the Englishman simply got better as the weather worsened in northern New York State.
After two rounds of looking like the US Open, yesterday’s heavy rain made Oak Hill look like the Open in Scotland. Course staff were out on the greens and fairways with squeegees, and half-an-inch of rain fell before the leaders went out.
But Ryder Cup star Hatton followed his second-round 68 with a solid 69 to race up the leaderboard – as his playing partner Mickelson limped home in 75.
Hatton only dropped one shot and even saved par at No.3 after his pulled 4-iron hit a female spectator by the green, before he chipped to seven feet, made the putt and gave her the signed ball.
“It was really, really tough out there,” said the Marlow-based star. “Everyone is just out there grinding and trying their absolute best. I made some really good par saves which kept me in it. It is very easy to drop shots out there.
“I was seven-over through nine on Thursday and it was just mad. I don’t think anyone has gained more shots than me in the last two rounds. It was good playing with Phil – we had a nice crowd out there and they were cheering him on the whole way round.
“Phil is a legend of the game and I loved watching him play as a kid, so now playing alongside him is cool.”
Hatton and Mickelson (above) just made the cut on five-over par. Six-time Major hero Mickelson, who won this event aged 50 in
2021, had made his
100th cut at a Major.
“It just shows how old I am, I guess, and how many years I’ve been playing,” said the LIV
Golf star. “But it’s been really fun to participate in so many great events and play well in them.” World No.1 Rahm (left) also improved from his opening 76 to shoot a 68, but he made six bogeys in the first 10 holes yesterday and shouted at photographers: “Stop aiming at my face when I’m mad. It’s all you guys do.” German Ryder Cup hopeful Yannik Paul, who is third in the European rankings, has the chance to earn big points today after his 73. Italian Open winner Adrian Meronk made six bogeys, a double bogey and a double bogey in his 74.