PGA at Oak Hill: In-Form Tyrrell Hatton Has a Point to Prove

The quick start to the season of world number 17 Tyrrell Hatton perfectly sets him up to challenge at the 2023 PGA Championship.

In the 2022 season, Tyrrell Hatton earned $2,849,792 on the PGA Tour. This season, Hatton has already banked $6,055,594 after finding glowing form.

Hatton turned pro in 2011 and learned the ropes by grinding on the Challenge Tour in 2012 and 2013. Hatton played in 17 events in 2013, making 15 cuts. Despite missing out on a win Hatton secured five top-10s to earn €92,113.63 and a European Tour card for 2014.

Hatton capitalized on this opportunity by playing an eye-watering 30 events in 2014 to make 19 cuts and another five top-10s. This cemented Hatton’s reputation as a serious player who can cut it at one of the highest levels.

In 2016 Hatton secured his first win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship which is famously played across three of the most iconic courses in the world: Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Since this maiden victory, Hatton has won five more times on the DP World Tour in addition to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2020.

However, a victory at one of golf’s four major championships has continued to elude Hatton. His best finish at a major is a T5 at the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Despite winning three times across 2020 and 2021, Hatton struggled to replicate this form on the big stage by missing five cuts at the majors in the same period.

Since then, he has made the cut in each major in 2022 and this year’s Masters which demonstrates the trajectory Hatton will be aiming to continue on.

Hatton, who is playing at this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson, has compiled an impressive resume during this 2023 season so far, but the Englishman will consider it incomplete.

Tyrrell Hatton has earned reps at some of this season’s biggest events.

The jewel in the crown is a solo second-place finish at the Players Championship, missing out only to an in-form Scottie Scheffler.

The two-time Ryder Cup teammate has garnered a reputation for venting his frustration on the course after hitting a poor shot. Whilst this may be a broadcaster’s nightmare, his frank honesty on the course has made him a fan favorite we can all relate to.

For all his frustrations, Hatton is showing that his resilience can transcend a poor shot. Hatton put his ball in the water and made a bogey at the 9th hole during the final round at this year’s Players Championship before immediately going on to shoot a record equalling 29 on the back nine.

Tyrrell Hatton will need all of his flare and a calm head in his attempt to claim his maiden major victory at the PGA Championship next week and prove to the world he can win at the highest level.