Tyrrell Hatton shared that he outperformed a surprised Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from indulging in wine and Guinness over the Christmas period. The LIV Golf player joked about feeling as inflexible as the Titanic during his first round at the tournament in damp January, where he shot a 70 while defending his title.
During their round together, Hatton and McIlroy focused more on reminiscing about the high-quality wine they enjoyed during the holidays rather than discussing issues related to the Saudi-backed tour. Hatton humorously mentioned that McIlroy was shocked to learn about his weight gain, revealing he was 204 pounds on January 1st, up from 190 pounds just before the Ryder Cup.
Reflecting on his festive season, Hatton admitted to minimal cardio but emphasized a significant amount of drinking, including having a Guinness tap at home for enjoyment. He acknowledged the need to shed some weight post-holidays, jokingly referring to his current fitness efforts as “damp January.”
Known for his affinity for Guinness, Hatton recalled consuming multiple pints a night during a past Open challenge and even woke up in an untidy state after celebrating his Ryder Cup qualification. Despite his lack of recent competitive play due to the delayed start of the LIV Golf tour, Hatton managed to score four birdies and two bogeys in challenging weather conditions during his initial competitive round of 2026.
While expressing his struggles with stiffness and rustiness on the course, Hatton remained focused on giving his best performance. McIlroy, alongside Tommy Fleetwood, also faced challenges on the course but refrained from discussing the fines associated with conflicting LIV Golf results during their play.
Additionally, Poland’s Adrian Meronk echoed concerns about the imposed fines for playing in alternative tours, emphasizing the need for a fair resolution between the involved golf tours. The ongoing discussions and discontent among players regarding these fines continue to impact the golfing community’s dynamics.