Tyrrell Hatton’s frustration boiled over at Augusta National during the Masters first round when his ball hit the flagstick and rolled into a bunker, prompting the golfer to mime an obscene gesture
Tyrrell Hatton lost his cool during the opening round of the Masters(Image: Getty)
Tyrrell Hatton has never been one to hide his feelings, and Augusta National certainly didn’t inspire a calmer side of the Englishman on Thursday.
The 34-year-old has carved out an impressive career in modern European golf — eight DP World Tour wins, a PGA Tour triumph at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational, and four Ryder Cup appearances, including three victories. Hatton signed with LIV Golf in 2024 as part of Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII squad and secured his first LIV win at Nashville that same season.
Yet despite his achievements, it’s his fiery temperament rather than his silverware that has most often thrust him into the limelight. It came after Phil Mickelson’s behavior towards the Masters locker room staff in the parking lot was caught.
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During the opening round of the Masters, Hatton experienced one of the cruelest strokes of bad luck the course can dish out, and his response quickly became the talk of the day.
On the seventh hole, Hatton delivered what was undeniably an excellent approach shot.
He struck the flagstick with remarkable precision, the sort of shot that would typically earn a golfer a handsome reward on most courses. At Augusta, however, it had the opposite effect.
The ball ricocheted off the pin and tumbled into the bunker, transforming what should have been a birdie opportunity into a bogey.
Hatton has been with LIV Golf since 2024(Image: Getty)
Hatton, clearly livid, came close to showing his middle finger at the flagstick, gesturing in a way that left no doubt about his frustration to anyone paying attention. When the incident occurred, Hatton was struggling through a challenging first round.
His card reflected bogeys on the third, seventh, and ninth holes against a birdie on the sixth and a birdie on the tenth, leaving him at one-over through 13 holes and tied for 30th place.
“You can hit good shots here and not get any reward for it,” Hatton said of Augusta National in the past.
“It’s unfair at times. I don’t agree with that.”
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That frustration has statistical support. Hatton ranks in the 84th percentile in proximity from 150 to 200 yards, a distance range that represented nearly 40 percent of approach shots at Augusta last year.
His major championship record in recent years has been consistently solid — 11 cuts made in 12 starts since 2023, with six top-20 finishes.
Getting his scorecard to match his ball-striking ability at Augusta, however, remains an ongoing challenge. The flagstick on seven wasn’t going to help matters.
