THE RYDER CUP

September 27, 2023

Tyrrell Hatton

Marco Simone

Team Europe

Press Conference

STEVE TODD: Thanks, everyone, joined by Tyrrell Hatton from Team Europe.

Tyrrell, we saw a nice video last night of Luke showing around the team room. What's it been like for you being back in that team environment this week?

TYRRELL HATTON: It's been great so far. It's no secret we love these weeks and they are very special for us as players. Yeah, the setup's brilliant and, yeah, enjoying it so far.

Q. What do you feel about a tie or a draw at the end of the day? Is there a feeling like kissing your sister or -- (laughter) -- would you like to have a playoff of some sort? What do you feel about it?

TYRRELL HATTON: That's some question for 8.25 in the morning.

Q. Yeah, but you're the man for the job. Come on.

TYRRELL HATTON: I don't want to know what that -- I don't want to know what that's like, what you referred to in the question (laughter).

I would say tying is probably not ideal. I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting in like a playoff, if that was to happen. I think it would be pretty exciting for fans, and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere. Playing in front of home fans is always special, anyway, but yeah, I think that would add something to it.

I think you probably have the time to do it because singles you start probably fairly later in the day compared to four-balls and foursomes, but yeah, maybe just having the tee times starting a bit earlier on Sunday would allow for, I don't know, a nine-hole better-ball, two players best-ball sort of playoff format. I don't know, I'm just like sort of thinking as I speak kind of thing.

So I think that would be a lot more exciting than just that's a tie like, oh, such-and-such retain the Cup. I don't think that's the best thing.

Q. How would you feel about being the one European representative against the one American if that's how it was decided? That would be enormous pressure, wouldn't it?

TYRRELL HATTON: Yeah, it would be a lot of pressure, but ultimately it's still the same. You've still got the same job. Like you're going out there trying your best. You know, that's all you can ever do. But yeah, there would be a lot on the line.

Q. Clarify, Tyrrell. Do you have a sister?

TYRRELL HATTON: Yes, I do (laughter) Yes.

Q. We'll get back to it. A couple questions, first of all, what are your favourite, I guess, memories of playing with Jon last time? What stands out?

TYRRELL HATTON: Well, I think we're both fairly similar, pretty fiery people. But Jon is obviously a fantastic player and naturally brings a great energy.

So yeah, I genuinely enjoy being in Jon's company. Yeah, it's always nice, as well, when you're playing with a great player.

Q. Has he ever said anything to fire you up or motivate you, or does he need to?

TYRRELL HATTON: I mean, nothing sort of springs to mind. He does like to call me Ty-Rell, which is interesting, an interesting move.

Q. Did it have the right effect?

TYRRELL HATTON: Eh?

Q. Did it have the right effect?

TYRRELL HATTON: Jon has a lot better memory than me. He started calling me that at Whistling Straits and I might have actually hit a decent shot after that. They were few and far between that week, so hopefully fare better this week.

Q. There's been a number of matches over the years, G-Mac comes to mind, Langer/Irwin, where it comes down to one final match on the course. Would you be comfortable if it fell to you, and what do you think the answer would be for most players, both sides? It's a big ask.

TYRRELL HATTON: If that's what it boils down to, it goes back to what I just said. You go out there and you continue to try your best over every shot. I don't think you can all of a sudden start like trying -- you don't want to be like trying too hard to be perfect because it's just not achievable.

It's a case of just when you're under pressure, you just have to trust yourself. And ultimately we've all been doing this for many years, and the amount of hours that we've all practised ultimately leads to certain moments that you get like that.

Yeah, just try and deal with it as best as you possibly can.

Q. With the heightened emotions of the Ryder Cup and some of the chippiness that can ensue, how do you avoid the natural temptation to take things personally or to let what happens here linger into your relationships with your opponents?

TYRRELL HATTON: I think you just get on with it, don't you. I guess it's just part and parcel of what goes on this week, and you just try and I guess go about your business as best you can for the team and trying your best to win a point, and yeah, that's what you want to do.

Q. You just mentioned that you and Jon are similar players, fiery-type players. Given the emotions of this event, is that exaggerated, or are there more emotions, are you more fiery? And if so, is that difficult to handle when you're out on the golf course, or do you feed off that?

TYRRELL HATTON: No, I don't think it's difficult. I mean, playing a home Ryder Cup, and you've got everyone on your side, naturally I think that gives you a lift.

And when you do something great and the way the crowd react to that is a cool feeling. And yeah, it makes you want to basically do it every hole and have the crowd on your side being loud and having that momentum.

But I don't think being emotional is sort of -- I don't think that's a negative.

Q. Quick one on the Jon Rahm thing, the Ty-Rell, is that a "Game of Thrones" reference, or is that just how he pronounces it?

TYRRELL HATTON: He'll generally say Tyrrell. I guess if I've upset him, he'll hit me with a Ty-Rell.

Q. Individual records in the grand scheme of things don't matter in a team event, but do you feel like you have anything to prove at all this week, or are you keen just to improve your personal record?

TYRRELL HATTON: No, I don't think I have anything to prove. What is my record, 2 1/2 points out of seven? Ultimately you're playing against the best players in the world. It's not easy. Over 18 holes, anything can happen. Ideally not 18 holes. Hopefully it goes shorter in your favour.

Yeah, it's hard to win a point. It just is what it is. I sound boring repeating it, but you are going out there giving it your best every single time. It's not going to work out perfectly.

I think was it, from the European side, the highest percentage of wins, I think it's around 70 per cent. So ultimately, if you win half your matches, that's still like a great effort, do you know what I mean? Ultimately, if I can help the team winning points, that's amazing, and that's what I want to do this week, and I'll try and do that as best as I can.

Q. Who would win in a square-off between you and Jon? Whose got the best expletives?

TYRRELL HATTON: I don't understand why Jon doesn't swear in Spanish. Why does he swear in English? I don't get it. He would probably get away with it if he just swore in Spanish. Maybe the English language has a bit more punch to it with certain words.

Q. Do you know any Spanish swear words?

TYRRELL HATTON: I think I'd do a pretty poor -- I'd give it a pretty poor attempt. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself or to, yeah, just upset Jon, I guess, in front of him. I think I would probably win in a swear-off. I've got everyone covered when it comes to that (laughter).

Q. An extensive repertoire?

TYRRELL HATTON: Yeah. Just any time of day, anywhere.

Q. No holding back?

TYRRELL HATTON: No holding back.

Q. Any circumstance?

TYRRELL HATTON: Doesn't matter what we're doing. I'm swearing. F*** off (room erupts in roaring laughter).

STEVE TODD: On that note, thanks for joining us, Tyrrell.

TYRRELL HATTON: Have a wonderful day.