Tyrrell Hatton had tough words for Royal Troon during the first round of the Open Championship. Despite making 16 pars, he expressed frustration with his ball-striking and putting, claiming it was one of his worst rounds of the season. Hatton struggled with his long game and had to resort to swing thoughts on the course, something he doesn’t like to do. He also criticized the greens at Royal Troon, calling them hard to putt on and inconsistent in speed. Additionally, he took issue with the course lengthening and challenging layout.
During the leadup to the Open Championship, Hatton voiced his struggles with his ball-striking and swing mechanics, stating that his swing was not where he expected it to be. He had difficulty on the greens at Royal Troon, losing strokes with the putter. Hatton found fault with the course setup, particularly the lengthened holes and challenging conditions. He criticized the lack of forward tees on certain holes and the difficulty of reaching par-5s with long irons off the tee.
This is not the first time Hatton has expressed controversial thoughts about major championship courses and setups. At the Masters earlier this year, he stated his dislike for Augusta National’s par-5 15th hole. He has also criticized other courses like Oak Hill and Augusta National in the past. Hatton is known for his theatrical on-course behavior and outspoken opinions on course designs. Despite his criticisms, Hatton remains on the cusp of contention after the first round of the Open Championship.
As an assistant editor at GOLF, Jack Hirsh covers the latest golf news and events. A Penn State graduate and former high school golf captain, Hirsh has a passion for the game and continues to compete in local amateur tournaments. With experience in broadcast journalism, Hirsh brings a unique perspective to his writing, offering insights into player performances and course setups. Contact Jack at jack.hirsh@golf.com for more information on his work and contributions to the golf community.
