Tyrell Hatton Shines at Dubai Desert Classic Amid Challenging Conditions

DUBAI, UAE — Tyrell Hatton surged into contention at the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic, overcoming challenging conditions to sit tied for third at 8-under par after two rounds. The English golfer carded a stellar 7-under 65 on Friday, bouncing back from a disappointing 5-over 77 the previous day.

Hatton’s performance on the greens at Emirates Golf Club was a key factor in his resurgence. “Felt a lot more comfortable on the greens today,” Hatton said after his round. “Yesterday, I struggled a bit with pace, and then yeah, from the get-go, I felt like I had good speed and just felt very comfortable over the ball on the greens, and it was nice to see some putts go in.”

The tournament, which features a star-studded field including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland, has been marked by difficult conditions. Strong afternoon winds have made approach shots particularly challenging, potentially slowing down scoring over the weekend. However, Hatton believes the conditions could play to his advantage. “Generally, I have quite a high ball flight, anyway, so if the greens do get firmer on the weekend if I can hit fairways, that maybe plays into my hands a little bit,” he said.

Hatton, who won the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational, has seven DP World Tour victories to his name, including the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Despite his success, he has yet to secure a major championship, though he has recorded multiple top-10 finishes. His recent move to the LIV Golf circuit, following Jon Rahm’s high-profile signing, has kept him in the spotlight.

Entering the weekend, Hatton trails Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson by four shots. Ferguson leads the field at 12-under, but Hatton’s experience and recent form make him a strong contender. “I feel like this is one of those events that you would love to have on your C.V.,” Hatton said. “It’s an iconic event for the DP World Tour, and yeah, I’d love to give myself a chance.”

Hatton’s fiery temperament has often made headlines, but his skill on the greens has earned him respect among his peers. Fellow pro Jordan Smith recently praised Hatton’s putting, calling him “an absolute demon with a wand.” Hatton’s consistency is evident in his recent performances, with an average strokes gained putting of -0.321 and a putting average of 1.53 over his last five tournaments.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Hatton to see if he can capitalize on his strong start and secure a victory in one of the DP World Tour’s most prestigious events.