Tyrrell Hatton‘s angry wedge swing into a bunker at Carnoustie has sparked fan outrage, with some calling for the DP World Tour to fine him over the damage.
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The outburst happened during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a $5 million DP World Tour event played across three of Scotland’s most famous courses: the Old Course at St Andrews, Kingsbarns, and Carnoustie Golf Links. Carnoustie isn’t just another stop on tour. The course was officially established in 1839, making it 187 years old and one of the most historic venues in golf.
Hatton’s tee shot at Carnoustie found the front-right bunker, but the ball buried itself deep in the sand, leaving him a difficult lie and little room to work with. Frustrated by what he saw, he took an angry swing of his wedge into the sand before even playing his shot. Based on available footage, the damage appeared confined to the bunker’s sand rather than any structural or permanent part of the course. No official statement on the extent of the damage had been issued as of this writing. Video of the moment quickly spread across social media.
Fans did not hold back in response. One fan wrote, “Send him back to liv, what’s he doing there. What an embarrassment he is.” Another fan commented, “He’ll never win a major, that’s for absolute certain.”
A different fan wrote, “Need a have a conversation on Hatton being the least serious pro golfer on any circuit. Dudes allergic to winning golf tournaments and the only time we really see him is when he’s having temper tantrums.”
Several fans focused on the damage itself rather than the emotion behind it. One fan wrote, “What a prick this guy is. Greenkeepers work incredible hours and incredibly hard to present this course in absolutely incredible condition, only for it to be smashed up like this? This is surely worthy of a ban or a huge fine?!” Another fan pointed out, “Absolute bell end, also another ball in the bunker yet to play. Club golfers don’t act like this.”
Not every reaction was angry. One fan joked, “He’s now got himself an 80 deg wedge!” Another fan wrote, “I woulda been celebrating getting out in just 1.”
One fan tied the incident to a broader complaint, writing, “Being a complete jackass, but what’s new there! When are the powers that be going to get a hold of these modern day golfers. The general erosion of standards and etiquette on the course is ridiculous. Been getting worse over recent years.”
The frustration is part of a longer pattern for Hatton. He snapped a club during the DP World Tour Championship in November 2024, leading Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray to call him a ‘terrible influence on the next generation.’ Hatton responded the next day by writing “be nice” on his golf glove. He also faced criticism in January 2025 after taking frustrated swings at a plastic tee marker during the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Hatton later admitted that it “probably shouldn’t have” happened.
A fine may not hurt Hatton’s wallet much, but the bigger problem could be how fans see him. Golf tours rarely reveal fine amounts, and Hatton said in 2024 that his total fines for on-course behaviour had not even reached five figures. So, if the DP World Tour does punish him for the Carnoustie incident, the money may not be the main concern. Every new outburst, however, adds to the growing view that his temper is becoming a regular part of his game. With Hatton chasing a fourth Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title, that is hardly the attention he would have wanted.
Despite the criticism, Tyrrell Hatton is still one of the most successful players in the event. He has won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship three times, in 2016, 2017 and 2024. He also finished runner-up to Robert MacIntyre last year. Hatton has said the tournament suits his game very well.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will continue across all three courses before the field is cut for the final round at the Old Course in St Andrews. Tyrrell Hatton will now look to put the Carnoustie incident behind him as he tries to win the title for a fourth time.
It is still unclear if the DP World Tour will take any action over the bunker damage. For now, most of the discussion is happening online, with fans debating whether Hatton’s temper is simply part of his personality or something that has become a bigger issue.