Tyrrell Hatton's Selection For Team Cup is Premature

Whoah! Surely there must be some mistake! Tyrrell Hatton cannot really have been named in the GB&I team to face Continental Europe in the 2025 Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, can he?

It is a move that all but confirms that he is also going to be playing for Europe in the Ryder Cup in September as long as he continues to play well enough to justify his selection.

So what, exactly, is the issue with that?

Hatton makes his living through LIV Golf. When he signed on the dotted line for the Saudi-financed tour he was suspended by the DP World Tour and was also subjected to substantial fines. 

To have any chance of playing for Europe in the Ryder Cup, a golfer has to be a member of the DP World Tour. 

Hatton had refused to pay the fines but earlier this year he appealed against both the suspension and fines. Jon Rahm did the same thing. It was a tactic that allowed both golfers to compete on the DP World Tour again, thus retaining their membership.

However, and this is important, their ongoing membership is dependent upon the result of an appeal which has yet to be heard. 

If said appeal rules in favour of the players then all will be rosy in the garden. But if it goes against them that will be an entirely different kettle of fish. They will either have to cough up the fines and probably serve some kind of suspension or face permanent expulsion.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Since his appeal Hatton has won the Dunhill Links Championship and also played in the Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship. He also played in the Open de Espana and British Masters. Rahm qualified for the Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship but opted to put his feet up.

So here is the thing. 

While I have absolutely no issues with Hatton being included in the GB&I team based on his form, I have to say that it sends out all the wrong signals to those who have remained loyal to the tour. 

And what on earth happens if, should the appeal go against Hatton, he still refuses to pay the fines and accept any suspension? This has to be a realistic possibility, otherwise why would he even have bothered to launch the appeal in the first place? Like Laurie Canter, who returned after an ill-fated spell with LIV, Hatton and Rahm could have maintained their memberships by paying their fines and serving any suspension up front and centre.

No date has been set for Hatton and Rahm’s appeal - this needs to be addressed, and soon.

Hatton has represented Europe in the past three Ryder Cups but his participation at next year's matches against the United States in New York has been in doubt following his decision to join LIV Golf. 

The Team Cup, which was won by Continental Europe last year, will take place at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort's National Course from January 10-12.

Among those joining Hatton on playing captain Justin Rose's team will be world number nine Tommy Fleetwood - the highest-ranked player in the event - and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin, who last week secured his PGA Tour card for 2025.

Continental Europe, led by playing skipper Francesco Molinari, includes Ryder Cup players Nicolai Hojgaard and Thorbjorn Olesen. 

There is no place for Spain's Sergio Garcia, who has rejoined the DP World Tour for the 2025 season in a bid to make the Ryder Cup. The big difference between Garcia and Hatton is that the Spaniard has paid his fines and will miss several tournaments through suspension.

Rahm is not included either. 

The final player of each side will be selected after the Nedbank Golf Challenge on December 8.

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who will obviously have sanctioned Hatton’s inclusion, said: "This event provided valuable insight for a number of players who eventually made it to Marco Simone, with six of the 20 competitors in 2023 going on to play in the Ryder Cup, three of those making their debut appearances.

"We're excited to see who can make their mark next year as they try and earn a place in my side for New York.”

Continental Europe: Francesco Molinari, Nicolai Hojgaard, Rasmus Hojgaard, Matteo Manassero, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Niklas Norgaard, Thorbjorn Olesen, Matthieu Pavon, Antoine Rozner.

Great Britain and Ireland: Justin Rose, Laurie Canter, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Aaron Rai, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace, Paul Waring.