Tyrrell Hatton shared that he surpassed Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic after gaining weight from holiday indulgences of wine and Guinness. The golf star jokingly mentioned feeling as sluggish as the Titanic during his first round defense of his title in January.

Despite suggesting to his Ryder Cup teammate to cover fines for playing on the Saudi-backed tour to maintain eligibility for Europe, Hatton revealed their on-course discussions revolved around the quality of wine they enjoyed during the festive season.

Laughing about his increased weight on January 1st, Hatton disclosed reaching 204 pounds, attributing the gain to minimal cardio exercise and increased alcohol consumption during December. He now plans to shed the extra weight by cutting back on alcohol and hitting the gym, jokingly referring to it as “damp January.”

Known for his enjoyment of Guinness, Hatton previously consumed multiple pints nightly during golf challenges. Despite his lack of conditioning and stiffness, Hatton managed to score decently in his first competitive round of the year, trailing behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari.

Reflecting on the challenging conditions of their round, McIlroy and Fleetwood refrained from discussing fines related to conflicting LIV Golf events. Similarly, Poland’s Adrian Meronk expressed discontent with fines imposed on players participating in other tours, advocating for a fair resolution among the involved golf circuits.