Tyrrell Hatton Wins First PGA Tour Title, Likely With A Few Paycheck Deductions From The Fines Department

Then again, as a proud member of That European Tour and special temporary PGA Tour status player, maybe Tyrrell Hatton isn’t eligible for deductions from his Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard check. I’d ask, but we know the rules on commenting about such weighty matters.

Either way, another wild API played out over a tough Bay Hill that yielded only one weekend sub-70 round. And for the European Tour world still smarting from last week’s Paul Azinger jab and Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour fealty pledge, the Hatton win should soothe some bruised egos.

After edging Marc Leishman by one and earning a three-year exemption, the volatile Hatton became a sentimental winner, reports GolfDigest.com’s Dave Shedloski.

“It’s an incredible feeling to win on the PGA Tour and to do it at such an iconic venue,” said Hatton, 28, a four-time winner on the European Tour, who completed 72 holes in four-under 284, the highest winning score in tournament history. “I’ve grown up watching this event as a kid on TV, and to be sitting here next to the trophy now is an amazing feeling and very thankful I managed to hold on at the end.”

Josh Berhow with a nice roundup of Hatton’s various gestures and otherwise entertainingly neurotic activity that included an inordinate amount of hostility expressed toward…a lake.

Not to be outdone in the character department is Mich Donaghy, Hatton’s looper, who Ryan Lavner talked to regarding the working relationship with Hatton.

But now Hatton is ... more controlled of his emotions, if only slightly?

“We’re getting better,” said Hatton’s caddie, Mick Donaghy. “That’s why I think I’m employed – to threaten him and kill him. And I will, and he knows that. I won’t put up with any of his s---. That’s what he needs.”

McIlroy, meanwhile posted a final round 75, his second straight year with a rough API final round. Though 2019 worked out okay for him and he’s banking on a similar bounce heading into the rest of 2020, writes GolfChannel.com’s Rex Hoggard.

Also keeping the Fines Department busy will be Brooks Koepka after a blissfully blunt assessment of his game following weekend rounds of 81-71.

PGA Tour Entertainment’s round four highlights: