Tyrrell Hatton stepped up to the microphone at El Camaleón Golf Club, clad in the black-and-pink gear of his new team, Legion XIII, confirming a widely speculated move in professional golf. After a decade on the DP World Tour and four years on the PGA Tour, the three-time European Ryder Cup participant had made the switch to LIV Golf, aligning himself with two-time major champion Jon Rahm.
Describing the transition, Hatton likened it to the first day of school, expressing his excitement and the feeling of finding his footing. As one of LIV’s prominent signings in the off-season leading into their third campaign, the 32-year-old Englishman acknowledged the novelty of the experience. His move was marked by a significant signing bonus of $60 million, following more than a month of negotiations, with reported concerns about Ryder Cup eligibility eventually put to rest, thanks to reassurance from his European teammate, Rory McIlroy.
Notably, McIlroy had earlier advocated for rule changes to prevent players like Rahm from being excluded from the Ryder Cup due to their association with leagues like LIV. While both Rahm and Hatton retained their DP World Tour memberships, allowing them Ryder Cup eligibility, questions lingered about the possibility of LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour, contingent on an agreement between the U.S. circuit and LIV’s financier, the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Despite the uncertainties, McIlroy publicly supported the idea of LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour, expressing his conversations with Hatton along similar lines. Hatton echoed these sentiments, expressing his desire to continue playing on other tours, though the outcome remains uncertain.
Rahm acknowledged the evolving landscape of golf, appreciating McIlroy’s support and emphasizing the need for change. Once Ryder Cup eligibility concerns were resolved, Rahm finalized the deal for Hatton to join Legion XIII, forming a team that also includes Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent.
Rahm, drawing parallels between himself and Hatton, highlighted their mutual understanding, with a shared history in significant golf events. Another LIV recruit, Paul Casey, praised Hatton for bringing passion and skill to the team, describing him as a brilliant golfer with exceptional putting and green-reading abilities. Rahm humorously noted that both he and Hatton had faced trouble for swearing after poor shots in the past, but LIV’s policy of not imposing fines for profanities provides them some relief.