According to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, Tyrrell Hatton has officially signed his deal to join LIV Golf.
The deal will make the fiery Englishman a part of Jon Rahm’s new team, which is unofficially named “Legion XIII”, and is reportedly worth around $63 million (50 million pound).
Hatton is currently ranked number 16 in the OWGR but with LIV still not eligible for OWGR points, that number will drop relatively quickly, leaving the 32-year old’s major championship status in question going forward.
The signing caps off what was undoubtedly a successful off-season for LIV. The circuit was able to sign Jon Rahm which opened the door for Hatton and, although not yet official, Adrian Meronk.
As it currently stands, Hatton won’t be eligible to compete in the Ryder Cup if he forfeits his DP World Tour membership, but that could change in the near future with Rory McIlroy lobbying for Rahm (and therefore others) to be included in the 2025 plans.
Hatton will make his season debut this Friday at Mayakoba.
Article originally appeared on: Golfwrx.com
Golf has always seemed to me to be the game where integrity mattered. Saudi Arabia (a country with an appalling human rights record) is polluting the game by bribing players with offers that would make the most honorable of people struggle hard to resist the temptation. Tyrell Hatton has been a favorite of mine due to his endlessly good humor. And yet he succumbed to the temptation. I cannot imagine that if I had been where he is I would not also have taken the offer. I am saddened by the thought.
Hatton would never become a HOF so taking the money…..good sense.