Tyrrell Hatton feeling ‘lucky’ to not get labeled as ‘money-grabber’ following move from PGA Tour – LIV Golf

Tyrrell Hatton talks about the reasons, expectations, and fan reception following his decision to quit PGA Tour for LIV Golf.

Tyrrell Hatton feeling ‘lucky’ to not get labeled as ‘money-grabber’ following move from PGA Tour – LIV Golf

Tyrrell Hatton [Image Credit: OWGR]

Tyrrell Hatton recently spoke on what motivated him to leave the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league. While his reasons involved growth in both finance and personal, he felt “lucky” to not get harassed as much as the previous defectors.

The golfing community has been quite harsh on players moving to LIV Golf, especially the earlier batch including – Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and others. They were labeled as “traitors,” and it took much time for any positives to talk about. 

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While many are still dissatisfied with player moves to the Saudi-backed league, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are currently working toward a merger. It’ll allow LIV Golf players to participate in some PGA Tour events to advance the sport in a positive direction.

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Hatton believes that as time went by, people started accepting the LIV Golf league, and the criticisms softened over time. He believes LIV “isn’t the mortal enemy it was originally seen as.”

I think I was lucky that by the time I ‘went over to the other side’, the animosity and bad-feeling over LIV had sort of tailed off…They were being called money-grabbers, and even traitors. But even though I came in for a bit of flak for supposedly selling my soul to the highest – I swear that’s how one troll put it – it wasn’t too bad.

Tyrrell Hatton as per Jonny Leighfield of Golf Monthly.com.

One of his reasons for the switch was stagnation. Tyrrell Hatton failed to win any championship matches for three years. While he thought his career had “gone a bit stale”, LIV opened up a new opportunity for him.

He joined Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII and won a couple of events on the field. Before joining LIV, Hatton knew what the risks were. On the one hand, he’ll not only receive financial freedom but also the choice to start again. On the other hand, he won’t be able to participate in any PGA Tour events, including the OWGR.

Tyrrell Hatton reveals reasons behind his LIV Golf move

Despite fear of criticism from the golf community, Tyrrell Hatton decided to “go for it” and take the risk on a new ship. He feels like he was lucky not to get harsh feedback or comments on his move, considering how others left only after a few days.

Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton [Image Credit: Arnold Palmer Invitational]

Previously fans and pundits called out PGA defectors as “money grabbers” and “traitors“. While Hatton admits being reserved at the initial thought of a change, he ultimately decided to leave as the negatives outweighed the positives of joining.

Even when I joined, I still had a few reservations. But financial security is not something you can sniff at, and I felt the positives far outweighed any negatives.

Tyrrell Hatton as per Jonny Leighfield of Golf Monthly.com.

Hatton further said that he was always curious about how the PGA Tour players risked it to LIV Golf but never had negative feelings toward the golfers themselves. However, the reasons outnumbered the risks, and financial support was a heavy part of that.

Since he joined LIV Golf, Hatton has won the 2024 LIV Golf Nashville, The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and the Dubai Desert Classic in 2025. Hatton added that last year he played 27 events, the highest of his career.

Chances of PGA Tour – LIV Golf deal in 2025

The PGA Tour – LIV Golf merger talks have now entered the Donald Trump zone, where the President is actively pursuing the matter to bring it to an end. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like a deal is likely in 2025 despite meetings at the White House.

Jay Monahan, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Greg Norman (Image via skysports)
Jay Monahan, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Greg Norman (Image via skysports)

Both PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Tiger Woods have been participating in the talks and have vaguely confirmed that the deal will be done in the future but not right now. Monahan even said that he is looking forward to the day he will sit down with Yasir Al-Rumayyan at the board meeting later on.

Compared to before, the players reception on PGA-LIV move has become softer. Rory McIlroy, who once heavily criticized both players and the league is now accepting them for the betterment of the sport. LIV golfers are also excited for the merger as it’ll allow them a pathway to be back in the PGA events. Now, the question only remains when the deal will ultimately get signed.