McGinley slams Hatton after latest F-bombs and club snap: 'His behaviour is not acceptable...'

Paul McGinley believes Tyrrell Hatton is one of the 'top five players in the world' right now but that his behaviour on the golf course has now become completely unacceptable following the third round of the DP World Tour Championship on Saturday. 

Former victorious European Ryder Cup captain McGinley, 57, made his feelings be known after Hatton carded a lacklustre 71 to fall three shots off the pace heading into the final round of the DP World Tour's season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. 

It was a round that saw Hatton, 33, fire multiple expletives, bang his putter on the green and ineplicably snap one of his golf clubs. 

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During the third round, Hatton reacted angrily to missing a short birdie putt on the 11th hole.

"F*** you, f****** s*** greens," said Hatton as he banged his putter down on the green. 

Then on the 14th hole, Hatton saw red as he snapped his iron into the turf. 

Sky Sports Golf's Murray was disgusted.

"Oh no, no, no... it's time for change I'm afraid, that's a terrible influence on the next generation," said long-time Sky Sports Golf lead commentator Murray.

"I'm sorry to say it, I'm his biggest supporter as a golfer, but just have a look at this? Why? Why would you do that?"

After the round, Sky Sports Golf lead host Nick Dougherty asked co-commentator McGinley for his biggest headline of the round.

"It's hard to find one headline Nick, but what's going to get the headlines is Hatton's behaviour," said McGinley.

The Irishman then spoke at length about Hatton's on-course behaviour no longer becoming acceptable. 

Scroll down for McGinley's comments...

McGinley considers Hatton is one of the best players in the world right now, and without question can win multiple majors in his career.

That is belief held by many others in the sport, no doubt about it. 

But the on-course behaviour has very much crossed a line now, at least in the eyes of McGinley, who considers Hatton "will be embarrassed with what he did today and how he behaved."

McGinley anticipates the third round of the DP World Tour Championship could be a turning point for Hatton when he sits down with his team later and contemplates how he conducted himself on the course. 

"Tyrrell is not the bad guy he comes across here... all of us who know him behind the scenes know a different Tyrrell to what we see on the golf course. But his behaviour is not acceptable from what we see, no doubt about it," said a disappointed McGinley. 

"I think tonight when he cools down and his team, his wife have words with him, there will be a lot of humble pie. He will be embarrassed with what he did today and how he behaved. 

"He will know, like a lot of people who have any kind of issues in their life, you almost hit rock bottom before you decide I've got to do something about this. I think this could be a day when he may well realise, you know what, now I do have to change. I've got to a level where this is not acceptable and that people are not enjoying me when I'm out there playing golf. I've got a phenomenal golf game, I am blessed to have a phenomenal talent in this game to play with all of the riches that are in the game at the moment and the opportunities he has, and he's got to take advantage of that and have a bit more respect for the game and his fellow competitors."

McGinley also believes other players on Tour have had enough of Hatton's behaviour, too. 

"As tough as it is to watch, imagine the playing partners having to play with him and listen to him the whole way round," continued McGinley.

"I think Tyrrell will realise that it is time to change, I hope he does. 

"But what we do know about this lad, what a phenomenal player, I'd put him in the top five players in the world. That's how good this guy is. He's not just capable of winning one major, but multiple majors because there's no weakness in his game."

Hatton was recently let back onto the DP World Tour having appealed his fines for joining LIV Golf earlier this season.

He has wasted little time in racking up some valuable European Ryder Cup points by winning a record third Dunhill Links last month.

Hatton also finished solo second at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week.

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