Tyrrell Hatton will make his LIV Golf debut in Mexico this week after becoming the latest top golfer to join the Saudi-backed tour.
The Englishman is the current world number 16 and was part of the European team that won the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.
The 32-year-old, who has won six times on the DP World Tour and once on the PGA Tour, will join Masters champion Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team.
Hatton’s LIV deal reportedly worth around £50m, external.
That sum is more than double what Hatton earned on the PGA Tour during his career, although it’s only a fraction of the amount that persuaded Spaniard Rahm to become arguably the most important signing of LIV Golf in December.
“I’m really excited for this next chapter, joining Jon Rahm and Legion XIII and starting this week in Mexico,” Hatton said.
Despite opening roster negotiations with the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has continued its search for the world’s best players.
Earlier this month, Hatton said he was “very excited to be playing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour”, after compatriot and Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood revealed he had rejected an offer for bigger prizes and no-cut events.
Hatton and Rahm won both their matches together at last year’s Ryder Cup in the Italian capital, their fiery characters earning the nickname ‘Team Angry’ as they helped Luke Donald’s team win the trophy .
Hatton’s defection, especially so soon after Rahm, will be a big concern for Donald as he attempts to stage a first away Ryder Cup victory since 2012 at New York’s Bethpage in 2025.
As it stands, Hatton will be eligible to qualify or receive a wild card as long as he remains a member of the DP World Tour, which will require him to compete in four regular tournaments per season.
He will also earn points to qualify for major championships, but faces fines and suspensions for participating in LIV tournaments without the required permits for DP World Tour “conflict events.”
More soon.
