Tyrrell Hatton has played down his chances of winning the 2026 Open Championship, saying he expects to be “on the sofa watching” rather than competing in the final group on Sunday. The Englishman made the comment during a practice round at Royal Birkdale, staying true to the self-critical attitude that has become one of his trademarks.
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Hatton enters this week’s championship in decent form, but he admitted he is far from satisfied with how he has been playing. While many fans see him as one of the players capable of challenging for the Claret Jug, Hatton believes he still has plenty to improve before the tournament begins.
His comments came just days after he finished tied for 17th at the Genesis Scottish Open. Although that result would normally provide confidence ahead of The Open, Hatton said it did little to change how he feels about his game.
Hatton Gives an Honest Assessment of His Game
Hatton is keeping expectations low as the last major of the year draws close. The 34-year-old has always downplayed his chances, and even after strong performances, he rarely sounds completely happy with his game. That has become a familiar part of his personality both on and off the course.
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Speaking during a practice round on Wednesday, Hatton was asked to rate his game out of 10 ahead of the year’s final major.
“It felt horrific last weekend in Scotland,” Hatton said. “It’s been a bit of a mess in practice. So yeah, five.”
After hearing the response, the reporter joked that he expected to see Hatton in the final group on Sunday. Hatton quickly laughed off the suggestion.
“Yeah, good one,” he replied. “I’ll be on the sofa watching it.”
Recent Form Suggests Hatton Could Surprise
Despite his own doubts, Hatton’s recent results tell a more encouraging story. At the Genesis Scottish Open, he recovered well after an opening-round 70. He followed it with rounds of 66, 67 and 69 to finish tied for 17th against one of the strongest fields outside the major championships.
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The Englishman also remains among the highest-ranked players in the world and has consistently competed against the best golfers this season. Royal Birkdale will present another difficult test, with firm fairways, deep bunkers and changing coastal winds expected to challenge every player in the field. Experience and patience will be just as important as power.
While Hatton may not believe he is ready to lift the Claret Jug, golf has often produced surprise champions, and many players have arrived at The Open with similar doubts before delivering career-defining performances.
Main Photo Credit: © Adam Cairns-Imagn Images
