Tyrrell Hatton vented, muttered, and fought his way into Open contention. Then, he shared his plan to relax with three pints of Guinness ahead of the tournament’s decisive rounds.
At first glance, it might seem like an outdated approach. But Hatton's cheerful demeanor while discussing it spoke volumes. He appears relaxed and content—and just as crucially, better at managing the frustration that surfaces when his game falters. That makes him a genuine threat in Portrush.
Despite feeling his performance on day two was subpar, Hatton carded a 69, finishing at -5 and securing a later tee time for Saturday.
When asked how he intended to unwind, he grinned. "Usually, a Guinness is a solid start. At least for this week, anyway."
Would he be indulging on Friday? "It'd be rude not to," he said. "Three seems about right—maybe two or three, just enough to avoid a hangover. Hopefully, my late tee time tomorrow means I can sleep in too."
Statistically, Hatton performed well, hitting 28 of 36 greens in regulation—second only to Jon Rahm by Friday evening. Yet, to an observer, his body language might have suggested a disastrous round. After every miss, he muttered angrily to himself or struck his back with his putter in frustration. Still, he regrouped quickly for the next shot.
Was he using that anger to refocus? "Not at all," he admitted. "It was mostly negative."
Did he want to share what he said? "No, I’d probably get in trouble," he replied with a laugh.
While sports psychologists emphasize positive self-talk for improved focus, Hatton prefers self-criticism. It’s a habit he acknowledges may never change. "I’m 33. At this point, that ship has sailed," he said. "It’s just how I am when I play."
"Even if it seems like I’m losing control, I can reset for the next shot and stay focused on my goal," he added. "Despite how it looks, in my mind, I know what I’m doing."
When asked if he was improving at keeping his emotions in check, he shrugged. "I don’t know. I was still pretty vocal. Maybe I just need to move further from the cameras next time."
Friday had its bright spots—a precise 60-yard chip to within four feet on a tough par-4 and a 22-foot birdie putt on the ninth. Yet, in calm conditions favorable for low scores, Hatton expected more from himself.
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