Team Europe hero tackles 2027 Ryder Cup ban head on with final LIV verdict close
Tyrell Hatton and team-mate Jon Rahm could be kept out of the next Ryder Cup
Tyrell Hatton clinched a Ryder Cup triumph for Europe and says being kept out of the next one hasn’t even crossed his mind.
The English star had the honour of securing the half-point which ensured outright victory at Bethpage.
Hatton and team-mate Jon Rahm were eligible for New York having appealed the cash sanctions set out by the DP World Tour for featuring on LIV.
That appeal will be heard shortly with a final decision made on the future scenario.
But, asked if he’s considered a scenario where he couldn’t play at Adare Manor in 2027, Hatton said: “To be honest, it hasn’t crossed my mind. I’m kind of looking at it as though I would like to think that I’ll be eligible, with how it works out.
“I’m hoping that it’s in a positive way for me to still be a part and play on the DP World Tour and play in future Ryder Cups.
“I feel like I’ve moved to LIV at the start of last year, but I’ve definitely shown a commitment to play in the DP World Tour and I’d like to continue that. We’ll see what happens with all of that. I won’t think about that until everything’s worked out.”
Hatton’s mind was more on the triumph and he revealed the plan to clear wives and partners from Bethpage if stick to loved ones became too much to bear.
But, although team-mates such as Rory McIlroy had to endure vile abuse, the English star escaped relatively unscathed with jibes restricted to lack of height and hair.
Hatton’s good lady Emily was amongst the team family members who would not be bowed by the gobby yobs aiming flak.
He said: “I think ultimately that was their choice. I think that we all knew that our wives and family would be walking around and, all of a sudden, if you don’t see them there, then you’d be like: Well, what’s happened?
“So it was in place that, if Emily wasn’t happy with what she’d heard or anything had upset her or whatever and she wanted to go in, then someone would have let me know. Just because I’d be like: Well, what’s happened, where’s she gone?
“It was all on the individual basis of what guys wanted and, for me, if Emily wanted to go in, then sure I’d miss her. I didn’t want to have my attention lost on, well, where’s Emily gone? So that was just something that I talked about with Luke.
“I think most of the people in New York have commented on my height and receding hairline, so that was most of the stuff that I had to listen to and whatever, or being called a sellout. But at the end of the day, it’s words.
“Thankfully for me and Emily and my family, I didn’t hear anything that was directed towards them. I know a few of the other guys have experienced that and that’s a shame. I guess it’s unfortunate. I think people just forget that you are also just normal people at the end of the day and everyone has family and stuff walking around, so it’s not nice for anyone to hear that stuff.
“But those guys did an unbelievable job in how they performed and how family dealt with everything as well as we did.
“You’d like to think that most people know where the line is. Unfortunately, when you have a bit too much to drink, I guess people lose that boundary.
“It was funny. I was on the ninth fairway on Friday morning and all of a sudden there was a countdown. I was like: What’s going on? And they’re 10 down to 1 because the bar was opening, which was hilarious.
“And then it was the same again on Saturday morning. I was walking down the seventh fairway. It’s hard.
“Once people start having a few drinks, a bit of Dutch courage and people say anything and maybe don’t fear the consequences, you’re not thinking clearly at that moment.”
Hatton stayed sensible at the post-win party as he smiled: “I was very well behaved, I don’t have a hangover. I was a good boy. I’m sure there’s a few lads that will be feeling a bit frosty. It was a good party, absolutely.
“Winning is always special, so we enjoyed ourselves. For me personally, I just felt knackered. Sunday was one of the most stressful rounds of golf of my life, to be honest. Going out number 10, you want to win your match and take care of your point, but you’re kind of hoping that the guys before you have the job done. Not so that it takes the pressure off or anything, but that’s what you hope.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind, it’s hard to describe the emotions, to be honest.
“It’s kind of surreal, to be honest. I certainly didn’t think it would be coming down to me before play started, and then it was becoming more apparent that the last few matches were going to be really important.
“The last six or seven holes were the most nervous I’ve ever been on a golf course. It’s so hard to hole putts in that moment. Everything’s shaking.
“I had opportunities to win the match and I think I had eight putts over the last ten or eleven holes to win the hole. I missed all of them, which isn’t ideal and it made it more stressful, but I tried my best.
“Ultimately, the half-point helped a lot in the end.”