Tyrrell Hatton’s LIV Golf revelation, Ryder Cup hope, Jon Rahm influence

British golf sensation Tyrrell Hatton became one of the latest to turncoat for the lucrative heights of LIV in 2024. But his choice was far from straightforward.

The two-time Ryder Cup champion was well aware he would face the same criticisms many dissenters have encountered when they decided to abandon the PGA and European Tours. The birth of LIV Golf in 2022 proved cataclysmic in ripping apart the sport's roots, although the backlash had somewhat subsided by the time Hatton joined as part of its third wave earlier this year.

That's not to say that the decision to sever his ties for an eight-figure payday was an easy one, but Hatton had support from influential figures. The Mirror has delved into his LIV journey, tracking the steps that led him to the Saudi-backed venture and how he's progressing on the breakaway tour as the LIV Golf League returns to London.

Jon Rahm impact

Only a few months after their successful partnership at the 2023 Ryder Cup, it was announced Hatton would be joining Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team on the LIV circuit. In some respects, Rahm's reported £450million move to LIV overshadowed Hatton's own decision after he reportedly joined for just £50m.

"We obviously get on very well and we had a good record in Rome," Hatton told BBC Sport in March. The European duo went unbeaten in Rome last autumn, and he said that the shared responsibility in LIV played a crucial role in his decision.

"I like that idea of being part of a team," he added. "I like the schedule and not in the sense of playing less. That's not my goal whatsoever. I like the fact that we're going to different places around the world."

"Nervous" confessions

The civil war in golf has created major divisions among peers, pushing apart those who once considered each other comrades in arms. Although the initial uproar over LIV has lessened over the past two years, the timing of Hatton's departure was tricky given he and his fellow Europeans were celebrating one of the biggest victories of their careers just a few months prior.

"In some ways, you're always a bit nervous coming back [for The Masters], but yeah, I think when I messaged the group chat, to the Ryder Cup chat to tell the lads that I was going, I was nervous sending the message," he revealed on the Fairway to Heaven podcast in March. "Obviously, I was nervous joining LIV, as well."

"But the messages that I got back were like really positive and made me feel at ease. As I said, it's been great to see those guys this week."

The £50m coin flip

Hatton only disclosed his decision to join LIV Golf series in a dramatic 11th-hour revelation in February, leaving everyone on tenterhooks until the last moment. Even his caddie, Mick Donaghy, was left guessing at the airport, uncertain which flight they would be taking for an upcoming tournament.

With a staggering £50m offer hanging in the balance, Hatton didn't make his choice lightly. He sought advice from loved ones and colleagues, even leaving part of his decision up to chance.

"I had a deadline of 7:30pm on the Sunday night," Hatton explained on Fairway to Heaven. "With the help of a coin toss, I signed the contract at 7:29. It was a really hard decision and one that I didn't take lightly. I spoke to a lot of people and, yeah, so we signed at 7.29pm."

LIV form

Despite his high-profile status, Hatton initially struggled for success on the LIV tour, with finishes of eighth, 12th, 15th and 21st in his first four contests. However, he has since found his footing and secured his first LIV victory in Nashville earlier in July.

He also claimed third at the most recent tournament in Andalucia, not to mention sharing fourth and fifth places in Miami and Singapore, respectively. The Legion XIII group have also triumphed in the team event on three occasions to collect a handsome £1.1m bonus apiece.

These successes have boosted his winnings to a little less than $9m (£7m), nearly half of the £17m he won from 132 appearances in PGA Tour events. And victory at the JCB Golf and Country Club this weekend could potentially propel him to the top of the standings as the LIV season enters its final phase.

The Ryder Cup debate

Despite earning valuable points for Europe in Italy last year, Hatton's future participation in the Ryder Cup is far from certain. The competition will return to the United States in 2025, where Luke Donald will once again aim to lead the visitors to victory.

However, much has changed for players like Rahm and Hatton regarding their eligibility after their decision to leave the PGA and European Tours. While Rahm's reputation may make him too important to overlook, Hatton has acknowledged he doesn't have the same standing to rely on for another call-up.

"Jon's in a different position to me - you can't really imagine the European Ryder Cup team without Jon," he confessed to The Telegraph in February. "It's nice to hear your team-mates say nice things about you and your contribution but when you talk about the Ryder Cup 'certainties' or whatever, in my own mind, I don't feel that I'm up there in that bracket with those guys. I'm sorry, I'm just not and can't rely on my reputation."