Hatton shoots himself into contention at Masters with stellar tee-to-green performance

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tyrrell Hatton had just finished 18 holes of a near-perfect tee-to-green performance Friday at the Masters. 

Had just hit all 18 greens in regulation, becoming just the third player in the last 30 years to achieve that. 

Had just shot his lowest-ever round at Augusta National, a 6-under 66 – and in the process, played his way back into the tournament. He’s at 4 under through 36 holes and will have a late tee time for Saturday’s third round. 

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Of course, in his post-round analysis, he couldn’t help but reference his one misstep, a three-putt bogey on the final hole, the only blemish on his scorecard. That’s Hatton’s way. Totally on brand. 

“Today was a great day,” he said. “Actually walking up 18, I was pretty confident that I couldn’t mess it up enough that I wouldn’t shoot my best score here. Naturally I tried with a three-putt, so that was disappointing to say the least. But yeah, I certainly wouldn’t have taken 6-under before I went out.” 

It was a day that anybody in the field would’ve taken, especially the way Hatton handled his irons and wedges. There were no long putts needed for that 66. There was only chance after chance for birdie. He converted the close ones. 

A terrific chip shot at the par-5 second set up a 7-footer. A wedge from 61 yards at the third finished 10 feet away. Back-to-back birdies. 

He birdied the par-4 seventh with another great approach to 8 feet, then two holes later, his shot from 113 yards finished 9 feet away. He made the turn at 4 under.

His tee shot at the 155-yard par-3 12th was 8 feet away. He nearly holed his third shot at the par-5 15th for eagle. Tap-in birdie there. Then at the par-3 16th, another great tee shot, this time to 6 feet. 

The only approach shot he may have wanted back was at the last, perhaps a club too much, and it left him with a tricky 43-footer. His 6-foot par putt lipped out. 

“I gave myself lots of opportunities,” the Legion XIII star said. “I would have liked to have seen more putts go in. I don't feel like I actually holed that many putts, certainly outside sort of 7, 8 feet.” 

Indeed, had his putter been a tad more productive, he could’ve turned that 66 into something even more special. He nearly holed a couple of 20-plus footers on the front side and had two birdie looks inside 16 feet on the back nine. 

Even so, once the steam of that final bogey evaporates, he’ll look fondly on his best day ever at Augusta National. He entered Friday with just three of his previous 33 Masters rounds in the 60s – and never in the second round. His previous low was a 68 in the final round five years ago. He shot 74 on Thursday. 

Quite frankly, Augusta National has befuddled him for most of his career – and Hatton (again, on brand) has never been shy about voicing his frustrations.

But the last two years, he seems to have unraveled its mysteries, at least to the point where he’s now competitive. He tied for ninth in 2024, shooting even par. It’s his best result here. He followed with a tie for 14th last year, the 3-under total his lowest to par. 

“My results have got better the last few years, which is nice,” he said. “Yeah, there's spots around the golf course that are very difficult. I don't shy away from saying things, so yeah, that's just how I am, and I won't change. … 

“It felt like a bit of a surprise I actually got it to 7-under around this golf course with how I've previously struggled. I was obviously enjoying it. It was nice to be at that score and not hacking it round and over par like I generally do around here. Nice for a change.” 

Asked why his results have improved, he replied: “The last few years I've generally driven the ball much better here, which has been great. Yes, you kind of know where you can and can't miss, but it's also, like, you need to try and play your own game. 

“There were too many times in the first few years where you watch it on TV as a kid, you kind of, oh, if you hit it there to that pin, it sort of feeds in. So then when you try to hit it to the slope rather than being naturally if you are more of an aggressive player, which most of the time I am, I would hit more towards the pin. But now I was aiming at slope, and I pulled it and missed the slope, and then you end up in a whole world of trouble.

“Obviously, you only see the great shots on TV, and it kind of at times seemed to make it look easy when it's far from.” 

But back to the task at hand. 

Hatton has trended nicely in majors since joining LIV Golf prior to the 2024 season. His first major after joining was that 2024 Masters – his best result thus far. And last year, he tied for fourth at the U.S. Open, his best result in that major. It also led to him getting into the field this week. 

A year ago, he was tied for fifth through 36 holes at the Masters but fell back with a third-round 75. He hopes to learn from that harsh lesson this weekend, and Friday could just be the springboard that leads to a green jacket. 

“It was certainly one of the better rounds I've had in a major,” he concluded. “Actually, I don't really look at it that way. It was another round of golf. It was nice to have a good day, but that means nothing when you step on the first tee tomorrow and we still have 36 holes to go. 

“I would love to be walking up 18 tomorrow at 7 under, and hopefully I don't three-putt the last again and I'll come off a little bit happier.” 

Hey, Tyrrell, gotta let that one go now. Big day on Saturday.