Tyrrell Hatton’s hopes of winning the LIV Golf UK event at JCB Golf & Country Club near Uttoxeter took a significant hit on Sunday after a disastrous double bogey on the sixth hole.
Hatton, who began the final round just two shots behind leader Andy Ogletree, experienced a dramatic turn of events during his bid for the £3.1 million top prize. Despite starting the day in a strong position, his chances were severely diminished at the par-four sixth hole.
The Englishman, who joined the LIV Golf circuit earlier this year after leaving the PGA Tour, had recently claimed his first LIV victory in Nashville. With hopes of securing a second win in three starts, Hatton appeared to be in contention after a near hole-in-one on the par-three fifth. His brilliant tee shot landed just inches from the hole, prompting him to exclaim, “Oh my god, how close was that?” on the broadcast. He easily tapped in for a birdie, closing in on Ogletree.
However, the par-four sixth proved to be a turning point. Hatton’s tee shot put him in a good position, leaving a straightforward uphill approach to the green. But his second shot went drastically awry, pulling left and bouncing into thick rough. The inaccuracy of the shot, which required him to yell “fore” as it sailed over spectators’ heads, was uncharacteristic of a player of his caliber.
Caught in the thick rough, Hatton struggled with his next shots. His pitch shot failed to reach the green, and his fourth shot ran across the putting surface into more rough. Even his fifth shot was unconvincing, leaving a challenging six-footer for par. Despite these setbacks, Hatton impressively sank the putt.
Hatton quickly rebounded at the 470-yard par-four seventh, making a birdie to keep his hopes alive. Despite the difficulties at the sixth hole, his resilience and skill were on display as he continued to pursue victory in the LIV Golf UK event.