Professional golfer Tyrrell Hatton shared that he surpassed Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from consuming wine and Guinness over the Christmas holiday. Hatton humorously mentioned feeling as heavy as the Titanic during his first round of the tournament in January.
Despite previously advising McIlroy to cover fines for participating in the Saudi-backed tour to remain eligible for European events, Hatton revealed that their on-course conversation revolved around the good wine they enjoyed over the festive season. He jokingly mentioned his shockingly increased weight on January 1st compared to before the Ryder Cup.
Weighing 204 pounds on January 1st, Hatton noted a significant weight gain from his usual 190 pounds just before the Ryder Cup. He attributed the increase to a month of minimal cardio and indulgent drinking, including having a Guinness tap at home. Hatton now plans to shed some weight through a modified “damp January” regimen.
Known for his love of alcohol, Hatton previously consumed multiple Guinness pints during the Open challenge at Royal Portrush and had a memorable, albeit messy, celebration after qualifying for the Ryder Cup. Despite his conditioning issues, Hatton managed to score decently in his first competitive round of 2026, trailing behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari.
Reflecting on his performance, Hatton admitted to feeling rusty and struggling with flexibility on the golf course due to limited recent play. Notably, both McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who played alongside Hatton, avoided discussing the fines associated with conflicting LIV Golf results during the tournament.
Regarding the fines imposed on players participating in alternative tours, golfer Adrian Meronk expressed discontent, calling for a fair agreement between the tours to resolve the issue and alleviate player concerns.