'Slow down a little bit Tyrrell' DP World Tour pro makes Hatton claim after Dubai win

Pablo Larrazabal considers Tyrrell Hatton is now one of the top five players in the world after he moved to within one victory of his own DP World Tour record on Sunday.

Hatton, 33, buried a clutch seven-footer for par on the 18th to seal a narrow one-shot victory over New Zealand's Daniel Hillier at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The win marked the fiery Englishman's eighth DP World Tour title of his career and a fifth Rolex Series victory.

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Hatton now surges to the top of the European Ryder Cup rankings with nine months to go until the 2025 Ryder Cup.

He has made it no secret he intends to automatically qualify for Luke Donald's team despite only having limited opportunities to earn points as a result of his status as a LIV Golf League player. 

To do that he will need to finish in the automatic top six spots in the European Ryder Cup standings.

Donald will then have six picks. 

Hatton was let back onto the DP World Tour in September 2024 after having appealed his fines for joining LIV Golf last season.

He has reportedly not yet been made aware of when his appeal will be heard. 

Hatton's Legion XIII team captain and European Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm is also in the same boat. 

If their appeals are rejected then their places in Donald's team could be in jeopardy. 

Hatton's latest victory vaults him from 17th to eighth in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). 

But in the eyes of Larrazabal, there is no doubt in his mind that Hatton is a top five player in the world right now having won two of his last five events around the world. 

Larrazabal, 41, would also like Hatton to slow down a bit though as he closes in on his own record of nine wins on the DP World Tour.

Hatton is now just one win behind Larrazabal, who has victories on the European Tour spanning 2008 and 2023. 

"Tyrrell Hatton is one of the best players in the world, in my opinion easy top 5 at the moment and wins a lot more tournaments than players that they think are top 10 in the world… now slow down a little bit Tyrrel, one more DP World Tour title to catch me [winky emoji]," tweeted Larrazabal, who missed the cut in Dubai. 

Sadly Pablo, we think Tyrrell might surpass you fairly soon! 

Hatton was seen thumping a tee box marker twice despite finding the heart of the green on the par-3 7th during the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

He was later questioned by tournament officials.

Hatton addressed the subject after the third round - READ MORE HERE

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