"They too felt LIV was a better option" - Golf insider questions DP World Tour's 'different' treatment of Tyrrell Hatton compared to other LIV stars

Golf commentator Luke Elvy questioned the different kinds of treatment by the DP World Tour toward Tyrrell Hatton compared to other LIV golfers. Over the last two years, dozens of players from various golf series have joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. However, they have also faced consequences for their decision, as players were banned from playing on the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour imposed fines on them.

Although LIV golfers can't compete on the PGA Tour, they still earned an opportunity to play on the European Tour. For this week’s season-concluding DP World Tour Championship, Tyrrell Hatton joined the stellar 50-player field and started with the first round on Thursday, November 14.

Hatton is enjoying his time playing in European Tour events after a successful stint on LIV Golf earlier this year. However, golf insider Luke Elvy recently shared his opinion on the kind of treatment other LIV golfers such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood received from the circuit compared to Tyrrell Hatton. Speaking about the difference, Elvy wrote on X:

"I’ve really enjoyed how Tyrell Hatton has been treated by DPWT. I have no idea why the same respect couldn’t have been shown to European legends - Garcia, Poulter, Westwood, Stenson & Casey. They too felt LIV was a better option for them. Why is it different for Tyrell?"

Notably, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia resigned from their DP World Tour memberships after the circuit imposed fines on them for joining LIV Golf. Meanwhile, Hatton also faced penalties for playing on the Saudi circuit. However, he appealed against the DP World Tour fines and was granted permission to play on the circuit.

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Tyrrell Hatton takes the lead in the DP World Tour Championship

At the ongoing season-concluding DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Tyrrell Hatton started strongly with a solid round of 67, taking an early lead tied with Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy. Both players were impressive in the opening round, shooting 5-under to register a one-stroke lead over Paul Waring, winner of the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week.

Hatton started his game on the first tee with a birdie on the par-4 hole. However, he encountered difficulty on the third hole and carded a bogey before making two more birdies on the fifth and seventh holes. He shot four birdies and a bogey on the back nine and settled in the top position with a total of 5-under.

Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton will be playing in the same group for the second round of the tournament on Friday, November 15. They are scheduled to start their game at 12:45 p.m. local time.