Eddie Pepperell has launched a scathing attack on Tyrrell Hatton following his meltdown at the DP World Tour season finale. The 33-year-old’s behaviour took centre stage in Dubai after he failed to hit the green with his third shot on the 14th hole.
Hatton was visibly furious and took out his anger on the club by pushing it into the ground, causing it to snap. The outburst was immediately condemned by Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray, who said: “Oh no. It is time for change, I’m afraid.”
During the same round, Hatton was overheard describing the greens as ‘s**t’ and ranting about the quality of the course.
Pepperell did not hold back when asked for his thoughts on Hatton’s behaviour, describing his fellow Englishman as ‘petulant’ and ‘childish’ during an appearance on The Chipping Forecast.
“I never personally have an issue with a player breaking a club,” he began. “They could break 10, for all I care, because I think the only person that’s affecting is them and I have no issue with that.
“The thing that I have never found particularly endearing about Tyrrell from watching him play golf is his constant commentary and his swearing about the greens and his complaining because it’s just ugly and it’s childish. It’s petulant. It’s just frankly unappealing.
“And I hate to say that because to your point he’s a lovely lad and a brilliant golfer. He’s a brilliant, brilliant golfer and that’s what we should be talking about with Tyrrell.”
Pepperell believes Hatton will be at risk of developing an unwanted reputation unless he tones down his hot-headed antics in the near future.
“He wouldn’t need to make huge changes [for us] to only really talk about his golf, but again, we’re talking about his behaviour and it’s not the first time,” added Pepperell.
“I actually think the snapping of the club isn’t the straw that broke the camel’s back for Ewen Murray because it was actually quite a benign club snap. It’s on top of everything else, right? Everything that preceded that.
“Like you say, if you’re annoying Ewen Murray then you’ve got a problem. If that was me and I heard Ewen Murray say that then I’d be like: ‘Wow’.
“It would make my stomach drop because, to your point, he is the voice of reason and wisdom and that’s the thing that Tyrrell is lacking at this point.”
