Tyrrell Hatton doesn’t yet know how nervous he’ll be in front the mammoth first tee stands at Le Golf National, but he has no doubts where he was most nervous in his golfing career to this date – on the rather different arena of the 17th tee at Ladybank Golf Club in Fife.
“I was 18 and trying to qualify for the (2010) Open at St Andrews,” recalled the 27-year-old, a Ryder Cup rookie this week. “I knew that I was doing pretty well. I remember standing on the 17th, my 35th hole of the day, and I looked down to see the head of my 7-iron sort of shaking.
“But still, you kind of go into autopilot and just do what you always do, you make a swing. As long as you keep a good rhythm, then you’re going to hit a good shot.”
Hatton did, and duly qualified for his first Open. Eight years on, it’s “surreal” to be in the European team room, trying on his uniforms and “getting goosebumps in front of the mirror” pondering his first hit on Friday and how it will feel.
“We all get nervous, we’ve all been nervous in the past and still done well,” he continued. “It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere and I can’t wait to experience it.”
One of the more fiery characters on Tour, Hatton is conscious he has to focus his passion and not to lose control.
“Obviously I’m going to be passionate, but saying that, I need to stay as level-headed as possible. I’ve lost golf tournaments from getting in my own way, it’s pretty fair to say.
“Thomas (Bjorn) has just said to me he wants me to be myself. If you can’t get pumped up for this event, you’re in the wrong place.
“I’m really excited for this week and I’m just going to channel all my energy into trying to be as good as I can be and help my teammates as much as possible, We’re here as a team, and I want to do as well as I can for the team.”
