Rory McIlroy: Tyrrell Hatton's Dubai Victory Proves Why He's Essential for Ryder Cup Success
Rory McIlroy praised Tyrrell Hatton's unique playing style and temperament following Hatton's victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Hatton secured the win with a 3-under 69, edging out Daniel Hillier by one shot.
McIlroy highlighted Hatton's straight ball-striking and unapologetic approach to the game as key strengths, noting that Hatton "doesn't give a flying fig what anyone else thinks." This attitude, according to McIlroy, will be particularly valuable at the 2024 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Getty Images
"He'll be amazing in New York," McIlroy said. "He's proved that over the last three Ryder Cups. He's a massive asset for the European team."
The victory boosted Hatton into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings and placed him alongside McIlroy atop the European Ryder Cup points standings. This win is particularly significant for Hatton, who faces limited opportunities to earn Ryder Cup points due to his LIV Golf schedule.
However, Hatton's Ryder Cup eligibility remains uncertain. Like Jon Rahm, he is appealing DP World Tour sanctions for joining LIV Golf. If the appeal is heard before September, both players could face ineligibility due to unpaid fines and unserved suspensions.
Despite these challenges, Hatton remains focused on qualifying for the Ryder Cup through points, with this Dubai victory marking a crucial step toward that goal. "This week was massive for me," Hatton said, acknowledging the importance of DP World Tour events in his quest to make the European team.