Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton Boldy Admits PGAT-DP World Cravings After Breaking Rory McIlroy’s Heart

Both, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton had a tough call to make. Given their Ryder Cup penchant, they were drawn to the team aspect of LIV Golf. At the same time, joining the breakaway side effectively meant ending their chances of dawning the European blues. The PGA Tour swiftly banned Rahm last month itself. Hatton, being a more recent convert, has not faced the wrath yet. 

But both the Europeans have a desire to tee up once again at the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Rory McIlroy, who would have wanted them to stay with the PGA Tour, would certainly want them back. In fact, the 34-year-old claimed there should not be any punishment for players who wished to come back to the fold. What do Hatton and Rahm think of McIlroy’s surprise volte-face?

Tyrrell Hatton is not surprised

Tyrell Hatton revealed he had a conversation with the Northern Irish golfer in December, and most recently just before coming to LIV Golf. McIlroy stayed true to what he told Hatton. “Well, I’ve spoken to Rory a bit in the past week and back in December. That’s kind of along the lines of what he said to me. It’s not a surprise to hear him say that in the media,” told the LIV Golf Pro to waiting media persons.

Notably, the Englishman was part of McIlory’s TGL franchise, Boston Common Golf. It is not clear whether he has pulled out of that. McIlroy, for his part, has no willingness to impose fines if he does. Neither did he entirely rule out the possibility of retaining the Brit in his team. Fines and punishments, McIlroy, believes are not worth it anymore. In fact, the 24-time PGA Tour winner said, the Tour should welcome back players who want to play.

Hatton is one of those players who can benefit if the Tour follows McIlroy’s advice. “Ultimately, I would like to still be able to play events on the other two tours. But we’ll see how all that works out,” the 32-year-old said in the press conference. Hatton has six titles in his home circuit and one in the PGA Tour at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Rory McIlroy, became the most vocal supporter of the PGA Tour when the “irrational” threat of LIV Golf first raised its head. But two years, later, the 34-year-old is battle-fatigued and is done trying to change others’ minds. Jon Rahm, though hasn’t spoken a lot with McIlroy in recent times. But the Spaniard feels his Ryder Cup teammate has understood the need to evolve. 

Jon Rahm lauds Rory McIlroy for his courage

Lauding the four-time Major winner for his bold stance, Rahm said, “I think he might be seeing that the landscape of golf is changing and at some point, you need to evolve. So I think he might be seeing that, and everybody is entitled to their opinion, but it’s nice to have the support from a player the caliber of Rory, especially those Ryder Cup remarks he made early on.”

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McIlroy, however, dialed down on his call for the rule change,

saying, “Not that we absolutely need” Jon Rahm. But the 29-year-old still feels, “That’s an important statement for change to be said.” The Spaniard, who has 11 titles in the PGA Tour and 10 in the DP World Tour, expressed his desire to maintain the status quo. As all three parties are eager to iron out the differences and come to terms, his dream might become a reality next year.

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