Tyrrell Hatton can’t help but be entertaining, regardless of time or location. Sometimes he’s expressing strong opposition to a golf course setup, or an errant shot. Other times he’s simply responding to esoteric questions, which was the case Tuesday at Marco Simone ahead of the Ryder Cup. The colourful Englishman’s press conference began with a question about hypothetically kissing his sister, and ended with another asking whether he or Jon Rahm were better at using profanity. He then, jokingly told media to “Fuck off” and “Have a nice day.” Again, we emphasise, he was joking.
The subject of kissing siblings had a very strange link to the 14-14 tie between Europe and the U.S. at last week’s Solheim Cup in Spain. The result meant the Europeans retained the Cup from their 2021 victory in Ohio.
Reporter: What do you feel about a tie or a draw at the end of the day? Is there a feeling like kissing your sister or — (laughter) — would you like to have a playoff of some sort? What do you feel about it?
“That’s some question for 8.25 a.m. in the morning,” Hatton said through raucous laughter. “I don’t want to know what that — I don’t want to know what that’s like, what you referred to in the question [laughter].
Reporter: Clarify, Tyrrell. Do you have a sister? “Yes, I do [laughter].”
But back to golf. Hatton is not a fan of Cups being retained by defending champions by virtue of a tie in the following edition. The last time Europe retained a Ryder Cup was 1989.
“I would say tying is probably not ideal,” Hatton said. “I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting [a tied Ryder Cup] in like a playoff. I think it would be pretty exciting for fans, and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere. Maybe you have the tee times starting a bit earlier on Sunday would allow for, I don’t know, a nine-hole better-ball, [or] two-player best-ball playoff format.”
The middle portion of the two-time Ryder Cupper’s interview was fairly tame. Hatton, 31, was asked if he had something to prove given he has a 2-4-1 record in seven matches across the 2018 Cup in Paris and 2021 edition at Whistling Straits. “No, I don’t think I have anything to prove,” the six-time DP World Tour winner said. “What is my record, 2.5 points out of seven? Ultimately, you’re playing against the best players in the world. It’s not easy. Over 18 holes, anything can happen.”
That was until the subject of Rahm came up, given Hatton and the two-time major winner from Spain operate on similar levels of fieriness on the course. Hatton played with Rahm in the Friday four-ball session at Whistling Straits, when they halved their match against Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau. “He does like to call me ‘Ty-Rell’, which is an interesting move,” said Hatton, whose first name is pronounced ‘Teer-el.
But the interview came to a crescendo when Hatton was pressed on who would win a swearing competition between he and the World No.3, given the two are partial to expressing disgust in poor shots.
“I don’t understand why Jon doesn’t swear in Spanish; why does he swear in English?” Hatton asked. “I don’t get it. He would probably get away with it if he just swore in Spanish. Maybe the English language has a bit more punch to it with certain words. I think I would probably win in a swear-off. I’ve got everyone covered when it comes to that (laughter).
Reporter: [You’ve got] an extensive repertoire?
Hatton: “Yeah. Just any time of day, anywhere.”
Reporter: Any circumstance?
Hatton: “Doesn’t matter what we’re doing. I’m swearing … Fuck off [laughter].
Moderator: “On that note, thanks for joining us, Tyrrell.”
Hatton: “Have a wonderful day.”
