sports
January 22, 2026
Hatton dismisses LIV tension with McIlroy as talk in Dubai focuses on wines not fines
The talk was of wines, not fines. Any notion of an awkward 18 holes between Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton was firmly dismissed by the Englishman in the immediate aftermath. McIlroy used pre-tournament media duties at the Dubai Desert Classic to assert that Hatton and Jon Rahm should settle their seven-figure penalties due to the European Tour Group for their participation in LIV Golf.
TL;DR
- Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton's conversations at the Dubai Desert Classic centered on wine and Hatton's weight, not LIV Golf penalties.
- McIlroy had previously stated that LIV golfers should pay their fines to the European Tour Group.
- Hatton expressed that a resolution regarding LIV Golf fines is hoped for soon.
- Both Hatton and McIlroy experienced struggles during their opening rounds.
- Francesco Molinari shot a 65 and backed Luke Donald to continue as Ryder Cup captain.
- Luke Donald withdrew from the tournament due to illness.
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