TYRELL HATTON broke into a smile worth over two and a quarter million million pounds on the 18th hole – and pleaded with photographers to make sure they captured that rare moment.
The man known as Hothead Hatton, because of his angry tantrums, broke into a huge grin when his low punch from the trees on the final hole scooted along the fairway and screeched to a halt eleven feet from the flag.
Scottie Scheffler is world No1 in golf after winning at Sawgrass
Brit ace Tyrell Hatton banked a cool £2.3m with a second place finish
Hatton greeted that wonder shot by yelling: “Look, it’s me smiling on the golf course. Make sure you don’t miss a picture opportunity like that!”
The High Wycombe golfer knocked in the putt for his fifth consecutive birdie, completing a brilliant final round 65 that hoisted him from a share of 26th into solo second at the Players Championship.
In these days of pumped up prize funds, finishing runner-up to runaway winner Scottie Scheffler was worth a cool £2.26million.
That was almost £1million more than he banked for winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational three years ago.
Hatton’s seven under par closing round was three shots better than anyone else in the field, and he became the first player to shoot 29 on the back nine on the final day of the tournament.
Scheffler responded to Hatton’s back nine spree by also rattling off five birdies in a row around the turn.
His closing 69 gave him a five shot victory over Hatton at 17 under par, and as well as picking up a cheque for £3.75million he reclaimed the world No 1 spot from Jon Rahm.
Hatton, 31, was happy enough with his runner-up finish – especially after hitting a ball in the water at the ninth to slip to his only bogey.
He said: “Considering where I was at the start of the back nine – probably tied 34th or something like that – if you had said that you were going to finish second, I think you would definitely take that.”
Fellow Englishman Aaron Rai also left Sawgrass with plenty of happy memories – even though the 17th hole came back to bite him a day after his memorable hole in one at the iconic Island Hole.
Rai’s Saturday ace guaranteed himself a place in Players Championship folklore.
It meant the 17th had witnessed two holes in one for the first time in the tournament’s 49 year history, after Hayden Buckley’s first round effort.
And Rai, 28, also became the first golfer to play the famous finishing holes birdie-eagle-birdie, as he proved his hole out was no fluke.
That achievement had American golf fans wondering just who Rai is – a sentiment that is probably shared by plenty of people in the UK!
The Wolverhampton golfer won twice in Europe before earning his PGA Tour card a couple of years ago, and basing himself mainly in the States.
He was also on target for a bumper pay day – until his return to the 17th saw him dump his tee shot into the water and run up a triple bogey six.
That sent him crashing from a share of sixth place into a tie for 19th – and cost him over £500,000.
A nine under par finish would have been worth just under £750,000. But he had to settle for £225,000.
But he will never forget that ace at 17.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can watching golf improve your game
Yes, it improves my game!
Golf is one the most well-known sports in the world. This sport involves striking a ball towards a target at different distances using sticks, clubs, and so on. It’s a great way to relax and spend some quality time outdoors. You may not know, but there are many advantages to playing golf. Here are a few examples:
- Golf helps you get fit
- Playing golf makes you feel good
- While playing, you don’t need to think as much.
- Playing golf teaches you patience
- Watching golf gives you inspiration
- Golf is fun
- It is very easy to learn how to play golf
- Golf is more expensive than other sporting activities
- Golf is an excellent stress-relieving activity
- Golf is social.
How can I lower my score on golf by five strokes?
First, you need to improve your swing mechanics. While you might be proficient at holding the club correctly, your body will not feel the same way. Once you’ve mastered this step, you’ll want to focus on improving your strength and flexibility. You can start slowly, gradually increasing your distances. As you work towards better scores, you’ll notice that your game will become more consistent.
How do I improve my golf score?
These simple tips will help you improve your game of golf quickly and easily.
- Play less and practice more. You can improve your skills by practicing more. If you play too much, it can lead to bad habits.
- You should play when you feel good. There are times when it is not easy to play golf. Don’t force yourself into doing things you don’t enjoy. Instead, find ways to make golf enjoyable again.
- Take breaks. Golfers will often take breaks during a round to stretch, walk around and eat lunch. Taking breaks helps your body relax and keeps you focused throughout the round.
- Drink water! It is easy to forget how many drinks you have consumed while on the course. Drink enough water to ensure you don’t become dehydrated. It will keep you feeling hydrated before, during, & after your game.
- Be healthy. Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low fat dairy products will give you energy and allow you to perform well on the course.
- Stay hydrated. Water is the best thing to keep hydrated. At least eight glasses of water should be consumed each day. This includes plain water and water made with beverages such as coffee.
- You should warm up properly. Warm up for five minutes by walking, jogging or running before hitting your first shot. Focus on becoming loose and limber.
- Keep your head down. It’s important that you keep your eyes focused on the ball when you tee-off. You should not be looking at the ball, or where it lands. Instead, you should focus on the hole.
- Proper form is key to a smooth and graceful swing. Different people might interpret the same thing as proper form. However, it is important to not swing through the target. You should instead aim to hit the ball in the middle of the club face.
- Focus on the process. You can improve your golf swing by focusing on the process. You can relax your grip if your hands are slipping. If balance is difficult for you, then work on improving your posture.
Can I play golf?
Golf is good for your health. It is very healthy. Studies have shown that golfers live longer than those who don’t play. They are happier because they tend to have less stress.
Is it possible for a professional golfer to make money?
Yes, it’s possible to make money as a pro golfer. However, it requires hard work and dedication. Pros can earn millions of dollars each year.
What does the average golfer shoot?
An average golfer is able to shoot between 80-85 yards and their driver.
Statistics
- However, if you go in thinking that you will get all the way down to a 10, you will likely stunt your progress because your expectations are way out of line. (practical-golf.com)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- This means as much as 50% of your practice time. (practical-golf.com)
- Or that, on the greens, some 84% of putts over five feet also finish short of the hole? (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- If you have 14 attempts and convert as little as 50% of them into Pars – you can double bogey the remaining 4 holes and still shoot 87 for your round. (golfmadesimple.com)
External Links
golfdigest.com
flagstick.com
blog.trackmangolf.com
nicklaus.com
How To
How to Lower Your Golf Scores In Five Easy Steps
- Start with the right equipment. Good clubs and balls will be your best investment. You can learn how to play golf by taking lessons. Ask around at the local driving range for people who play golf if you don’t know any. You might get a lesson for free, or they may even offer you a free one!
- Practice makes perfect. This goes without saying, but if you really want to improve your game, you’ll need to practice. No matter what level you play at, practicing is important. And when you do start practicing, make sure you keep track of your progress. Take down all of your activities so that you can track where you are succeeding and where you still need improvement.
- Play more. At first, you might feel that you spend too much on your golf gear. This will make it difficult to get out there enough. When you start to enjoy the game, it will become second nature. So the next step is to increase your frequency of play. You should play at least three times per week, or every other day. It means you will play two rounds of 18 holes each weekend, and one round of 9 holes every week.
- Eat well. Many people think that they are doing their body a favor by not eating breakfast or having lunch after work. This isn’t good for your health. Instead, eat something before you go out of the house. A small snack with protein, carbs, and fat is a good idea. When you arrive at the course you can have a light dinner of lean protein and vegetables.
- Hydration is key. Drinking lots of fluids prevents dehydration, which can lead headaches or muscle aches. Hydration is crucial for optimal performance.
