Tyrrell Hatton Explains Move to LIV Golf

LIV Golf has remained a hot topic since the controversial new league was founded back in 2021. Since then, several of the sport’s biggest names - including Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood, to name but a few - have made the jump from the PGA Tour to the new competitor.

Tyrrell Hatton, one of the top-ranked players globally, took his time deciding which league to side with. But has clarified his reasoning behind joining the Saudi-backed league in a new interview with BBC Sport.

Why did Tyrrell Hatton join LIV Golf?

According to Hatton, who has numerous European Tour victories and one PGA Tour victory under his belt, the move was less about the money and more about the other advantages offered by one of the sport’s biggest talking points - advantages that were perhaps highlighted by a chat with fellow golf superstar, John Rahm.

"This all came about over the weekend of Dubai… The following week was a pretty stressful one. I almost wanted a crystal ball to know what the right decision would be.”

"I spoke to so many people in that week, almost to the point of wanting to have someone to make the decision for me. It was hard. You don't know what's the right decision.”

"We (Tyrrell and Rahm) obviously get on very well, and we had a good record in Rome.”

"So, there were certain things with LIV that I really liked… I like that idea of being part of a team; 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."

Hatton would go on to explain that, despite many negative headlines regarding the level of pay being received by the players involved in LIV Golf, the money was not the deciding factor. The Englishman reportedly accepted a whopping $50 million deal in exchange for his participation.

"Everyone knows that side of it… Yeah, it's nice, but ultimately it's not everything.”

"I think the talk of golf hopefully coming together made the decision marginally easier, but it was still a really difficult decision for me to make.”

"It was going into the unknown and not sure if it would be the right thing. But so far, I'm happy, and ultimately that's the most important thing."

Does Rory McIlroy play for LIV Golf?

Hatton’s words come just a few weeks after Rory McIlroy, perhaps the biggest name in the sport today, doubled down on his commitment to more traditional formats of golf, explaining “It’s just not for me.”

However, the same can’t be said for other major names, such as Sergio Garcia. Garcia, who signed up for LIV Golf back in 2022, has won almost forty top-level tournaments in his career, including The Masters back in 2017.

In an episode of the Rick Shiels Golf Show, Garcia stated the more relaxed LIV schedule, compared to his previous years in the game, was what encouraged him to take the leap:

"I always said that I wanted to, when I joined LIV, keep being a member of the DP World Tour and play my minimum four events and keep my card… Obviously, they didn't make it too easy to be able to do that, but one of the reasons why I joined LIV is to play less so I can spend more time with my family."

McIlroy and Garcia have a shared appreciation of golf simulators

Both McIlroy and Garcia have been a consistent presence in the golf game, despite seemingly holding opposing views of LIV Golf. However, one area where the pair do hold similarities is in their dedicated preparation for events. Specifically, their use of golf simulators.

McIlroy and Garcia are both advocates of the Trackman Virtual Golf Simulator, which allows players of all experience levels to enjoy an authentic indoor golf experience from the comfort of their own homes.

Powered by innovative radar technology, the Trackman simulator is able to accurately detect the speed and flight path of a golf ball as soon as it makes contact with the impact screen, before showing to a great degree of accuracy where the ball would have landed in real life.

Players even have the option to choose from a huge list of golf course simulations based on actual golf courses from across the globe, bringing them a step closer to all the action.

At Black Box Golf, we offer the Trackman Virtual Golf Simulator, as well as a number of other beloved Trackman products, as part of our range.

Take a look at our selection here. Or reach out to the Black Box Golf team for more information.