Tyrrell Hatton admits hiding true feelings at The Open - 'It'll get me in trouble'

Tyrell Hatton admits he has tweaked his behaviour at Royal Portrush to avoid “getting into trouble” during The Open Championship. The fiery Englishman has often come under scrutiny for his on-course behaviour.

Examples range from snapping a club during the 2024 World Tour Championship in Dubai tocalling his driver a “piece of s***” after a triple bogey at Quail Hollow during the PGA Championship. That has seen the 33-year-old LIV star rack up fines and be labelled a “terrible influence” by the likes of Ewen Murray.

On Friday, during the second round of the 153rd Open, Hatton carded a 69 to sit five under at the halfway point. He was left visibly frustrated after reaching six under with a birdie two on the 13th, only to cover the final five holes in one over.

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Yet, he didn’t react angrily as many would have expected, keeping his cool - at least on the surface. Hatton has now revealed that he has merely got better at keeping his frustrations to himself, still cursing but not letting the cameras and microphones pick up his expletives.

Explaining how he has become more conscious of the impact his reactions have on his playing partners, he said: “I don't know. I was still pretty vocal. Maybe I'm just having to do it away from the microphone.”

When asked what he was telling himself between the 14th and final hole, he admitted: “It was pretty negative stuff.” When asked to elaborate, Hatton replied: “No, it'll get me in trouble.”

He explained further: "I'm not going to change. It's just how I am, how I play. I'm 33. I think that ship has sailed, to be honest.

“I've always felt like even though I can be losing my s***, I can get over the next shot and still have a clear mind of what I'm still trying to achieve on that shot. Although from the outside it looks like I'm completely gone, in my own mind I still know where I'm at.”

Asked whether it does him any harm, he noted: “I've always said, as long as it's not affecting my playing partners.

"Sure, there's been times I've probably gone too far and you comment on a putt when they're putting on the same line and then it maybe affects where they're hitting their putt.

“Stuff like that, I think that's part of what you learn as you get more experience, so I do try and avoid that kind of thing. But yeah, as long as I'm not affecting the other guys, then I'm not going to change.”

Whatever people say about Hatton’s conduct, he has been in impressive form of late, achieving a career-best T4 finish at the US Open last month. He was in contention for the lead with two holes left but back-to-back bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes scuppered his hopes.

He also went into the final day at Royal Portrush in contention after a strong Saturday showing, carding a three-under par 68 which put him T4. Hatton also made a standout eagle at the par-5 seventh which drew roars from the crowd.