Tyrrell Hatton's LIV Golf move set to pose huge problem for McIlroy and Woods

26 January 2024 , 15:32

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Tyrell Hatton's LIV Golf move could prove problematic (Image: Getty Images)

Tyrrell Hatton's proposed move to LIV Golf is set to have a knock-on effect for Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, with the Englishman currently taking up a spot on their TGL roster.

Hatton became one of several PGA Tour stars to commit to TGL - an innovative golf league founded by McIlroy and Woods. The league was set to launch this month, but damage to its Palm Beach stadium late last year has ensured it has been delayed until the beginning of 2025.

Ahead of the proposed launch, those who had committed to the TGL setup were assigned places on one of six teams, with Hatton joining McIlroy, Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott at Boston Common.

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However, Hatton's future on the roster may be in doubt, with the Ryder Cup star set to join LIV Golf. Numerous reports have revealed the Englishman is on the verge of becoming the next big star to make the Saudi switch, following in the footsteps of his European pal Jon Rahm.

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If and when Hatton does make his move it is expected that the Englishman will give up his place on the TGL roster, posing an issue for McIlroy and Woods. In November, Rahm opted to become the first star to quit the league, before opting to join LIV Golf just a month later.

In the two months since, TGL bosses are yet to find a replacement and could well be forced to look for another star with Hatton's future looking uncertain. Hatton's decision to join LIV will come as a surprise to many, after the Englishman appeared to rule out the move at last week's Dubai Desert Classic.

Tyrrell Hatton looks set to join LIV Golf (Getty Images)

Following a report from The Telegraph that claimed Hatton had become LIV's next target after missing out on the signature of fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, both were quizzed on their futures whilst competing at Emirates Golf Club.

Hatton revealed there had been discussions with the breakaway league, but for now his loyalties remained with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. "I’d say there’s several people who have had conversations [with LIV]. I think that’s part and parcel of golf at the moment but I’m quite happy playing the PGA Tour and DP World Tour," he said last week.

"There’s a lot of people that have [spoken to LIV] and I don’t think there is anything to shy away from.” Hatton is not the only European star expected to become a LIV Golf player for 2024, with The Times reporting that Adrian Meronk has also agreed a deal with the breakaway league for the current season.

Joshua Lees