Tyrrell Hatton might find that his invitation to next year’s Masters gets mysteriously lost in the post after the world no.17 launched a verbal tirade on what he regards as the ‘unfair’ set up of the course at Augusta National.
Hatton, who opened up with rounds of 72 and 74, added a 79 on Saturday and an eight-over-par 80 on Sunday to finish on +18 and last of the 52 players who made cut. And the 30-year-old from Buckinghamshire was keen to explain that he wasn’t entirely to blame for his poor weekend returns.
“You can hit good shots here and not get any reward for it,” Hatton said after his final round. “I don’t agree with that. If you hit a good shot, you should end up near the hole, not then short-sided into a bunker because of the slopes that they’ve created. I don’t think it’s a fair test at times, and I haven’t enjoyed it.”
He added: “I’m glad it’s over, to be honest. Obviously, I’m disappointed, but I just never do well here. This course doesn’t really suit my eye, so it’s just one of those weeks that I feel like it’s just a case of trying to get through the best that I can.”
Hatton was playing in his sixth consecutive Masters, having made his debut in 2017. His best finish is tied 18th last year, where he shot a final round 68. He missed the cut in 2017 and 2020, but finished 44th in 2018 and 56th in 2019.
It is rare for players to openly criticise the course at Augusta National, as the club has a reputation for not taking kindly to adverse comments about anything relating to the club or the way the course or the tournament is managed. CBS golf commentator Gary McCord famously had his media accreditation withdrawn following the 1994 Masters after describing the 17th green as having being ‘bikini waxed’ such was its speed.