English golfer Tyrell Hatton had one of the best starts to the 2024 US Open. Hatton also offered one of the best quotes of the day.
The 32-year-old was two strokes under par after Thursday’s round at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C. Hatton finished just three strokes behind co-leaders Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy.
It’s a far cry from Hatton’s performance during the PGA Championship last month at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. He tied for 63rd after finishing -3, 18 strokes off winner Xander Schauffele.
But given the difficulty level at Pinehurst, the scorecards likely won’t dip to as low as they did in Valhalla.
Hatton was asked by Golf.com’s Josh Berhow if the golfer preferred “the US Open grind” compared to the relatively easier Valhalla course.
“With it being harder a lot of guys sort of losing their head, it sort of brings them to my level because I just lose my head every week. They can experience what it’s like in my head for a week,” Hatton replied.
Q. Do you prefer this kind of U.S. Open grind as opposed to Valhalla?
HATTON: "With it being harder a lot of guys sort of losing their head, it sort of brings them to my level because I just lose my head every week. They can experience what it's like in my head for a week."
— Josh Berhow (@Josh_Berhow) June 13, 2024
Hatton has developed a reputation as a hot-headed golfer due to his rather common outbursts when he underperforms on the fairway. Hatton even called himself “an absolute head case” while speaking to the media after his opening round.
But Hatton had little to be mad about given how well he played on Thursday. Even when he did show signs of frustration, things still broke right for him anyways.
Hatton dropped his 5-iron and kicked the ground in anger after what he thought was a botched tee shot on the par-3 17th hole. But the ball just barely cleared a bunker, landed on the edge of the green, and rolled within a few feet from the hole.
Pretty good shot, if we're being honest. 😏@TyrrellHatton now 2 under and T-4. pic.twitter.com/sNmPTocoxp
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Hatton sank the birdie putt — one of his three of the day. It was that kind of round for the angry Englishman.
