Tyrrell Hatton boosts Ryder Cup chances despite LIV Golf star's controversial Tour comeback

Tyrrell Hatton has helped his chances of automatically making it into the European team next year, after two impressive showings in the

has been back in Tour action in recent weeks, having played his way into the season-ending playoffs with last month. Starting in Abu Dhabi, the Englishman came close to making it two wins in two starts but fell just short.

Hatton ended the event at Yas Links in second, but it did help his cause in the European Ryder Cup standings, after earning some much-needed points.

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He then added to his tally a week later at the adding another top-10 finish to his resume after finishing the event in the Middle East in sixth, five shots behind Once more it came with reward, as he took yet another leap in the European standings.

The Englishman's chances of earning Ryder Cup points are set to be limited heading into the new campaign, with his loyalties now lying with having made the move in February. That means it is imperative to put in a good performance in any rare DP World Tour starts he may have, as well as in the four majors.

And this has got off to the perfect start towards the end of this year, having finished first, second and sixth in his last three starts. Following the end of the 2024 campaign, Hatton finds himself third in the European Ryder Cup standings, only behind Sunday's runner-up, Rasmus Hojgaard and winner, McIlroy.

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The top-six players from the standings come the end of qualification next August will earn automatic spots. If he is to miss out due to his extended Tour absence next year, Hatton will still have the chance to play as a captain's pick, but the Legion XIII member has set his sights on qualifying automatically.

Despite impressing in recent weeks, Throughout the week in Dubai, Hatton saw his on-course behaviour questioned. No more so than in Saturday's third round, after an off-target shot into the 14th green.

"Tyrrell is not the bad guy he comes across here, vbut his behaviour is not acceptable from what we have seen," Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said on the back of his club snap. "I think tonight when he cools down, and his team and wife have words with him, there will be a lot of humble pie.

"He will be really embarrassed with what he did today and how behaved. He will know, you almost hit rock bottom before you decide you have got to do something about this, and I think this could be a day where he realises, 'You know, I have got to change. This is not acceptable'."

In response Hatton turned out the day later with 'Be Happy' and a smiley fence penned on his glove.