Tyrrell Hatton is on track to fulfill his four-event quota to ensure he retains his DP World Tour membership after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Champions.
Hatton, now a three-time winner of the event, returns to some of Scotland's most iconic courses, winning back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017. The comeback is significant as the British golfer fights for his Ryder Cup future. .
Earlier this year, Hatton became one of the high-profile names to switch to LIV Golf, following on the heels of his European teammate Jon Rahm joining Legion XIII ahead of the 2024 LIV season.
His loyalty to the new alliance meant that his commitment to the DP World Tour was limited, jeopardizing his membership on the Wentworth Tour. There are fears Hatton could lose his place on the membership roster and therefore the chance to play in the 2025 Ryder Cup.
This concern arises because all DP World Tour members must compete in at least four events each year to retain their Tour card, which is a prerequisite for joining the European Ryder Cup team. Hatton competed in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic before moving to Saudi Arabia, but this was his only tournament until the end of August.
Hatton has successfully returned to the DP World Tour after appealing against a fine and ban imposed for participating in a “clash” event in the LIV setting. This allowed Hatton to play the remaining matches to complete his four-match record.
After playing in Dubai in January, Hatton competed in his second event seven months later, the Betfred British Masters. He then made his third start earlier this month at the Spanish Open with fellow XIII teammate Jon Rahm, finishing tied for tenth.
His crucial fourth start comes this week when he joins his father, Jeff, in the Pro-Am through St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. However, there remains a potential question mark surrounding his Ryder Cup future, which centers on Hatton's appeal against his penalty.
It has not yet been determined when this appeal will be resolved and whether it will be after next autumn's Ryder Cup so that Hatton and his teammates can focus on their performance on the court. Hatton's ally Rahm is in the same predicament but still needs to complete another tournament, expected to be at the Andalusia Masters in two weeks' time.
He also decided to challenge the penalty, making it clear he had no intention of paying. Lahm said in September: “I'm not a big fan of fines. I think I've been very vocal about that. I'm not going to pay the fine and we've been trying to talk to them about how to pay it. “We can make it happen. . “
