Tyrrell Hatton set to be unveiled as LIV Golf’s next star signing
Tyrrell Hatton is reportedly about to become LIV Golf’s next signing in a deal worth £50 million…
Tyrrell Hatton is set to join Jon Rahm in the LIV Golf ranks.
The Telegraph has reported Hatton agreed a deal worth £50 million with only days left before LIV’s season begins in Mexico on February 2.
The report says the jeopardy surrounding his Ryder Cup future and major participation were the main sticking points in Hatton’s decision.
The 32-year-old is expected to join Rahm’s new team, which is yet to be officially named, having allegedly received an improved second offer from the Saudi-funded circuit.
Hatton confirmed conversations with LIV Golf during the Hero Dubai Desert Classic earlier this month, but he stated he was staying put “as of right now.”
Fast forward almost 10 days and LIV appears to have secured another established winner on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, as well as a player in the top 20 in the world rankings.
Since breaking through at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2016, Hatton has often divided opinion with his red-hot attitude on the course.
He won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2020 and in the same year, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour.
Tyrrell Hatton: Ryder Cup spot could be in danger
A generation of Ryder Cup legends resigned their DP World Tour memberships last summer when the circuit was granted the right to fine and suspend them for playing in LIV Golf events.
If Hatton were to keep his membership, he would receive fines and suspensions for playing in LIV events, creating a barrier to his participation in Europe and consequently, his Ryder Cup eligibility.
The same can be said for Rahm and Adrian Meronk, who has also been strongly linked with a move to Greg Norman’s breakaway league.
Hatton and Rahm were extremely important players in Luke Donald’s European side at the 2023 Ryder Cup, helping the home team to a convincing win over America at Marco Simone in Rome.
The pair won both foursomes matches they played together, while they also earned 1.5 points between them in the singles to help extend Europe’s unbeaten home record dating back to 1997.
By the time the 2025 Ryder Cup rolls around, sanctions and general ill feelings between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and LIV Golf may be put to one side.
LIV Golf’s primary investors, the Public Investment Fund, have been locked in talks with the two main tours for many months and a compromise to suit all parties is hoped to be found by the start of April.
If the objective to “unify the game of golf” is achieved, Hatton and Rahm may not need to sweat over keeping their Ryder Cup spots next year.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
