Rory McIlroy played alongside Tyrrell Hatton during the first two rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic this week.

Hatton heads into the weekend four back of the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic on five-under-par, while McIlroy is a further three shots behind the Englishman.

Before the tournament began, McIlroy told Hatton to put his monty where his mouth is, if he really wants to play at the Ryder Cup next year.

The Northern Irishman was, of course, referring to the Englishman’s outstanding fines from the DP World Tour after he joined LIV Golf.

Predict who the Ryder Cup captains will be in 2027 🤔

One would assume that the bulk of the conversation shared by Hatton and McIlroy centered around the Englishman’s chances of playing the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

However, that was not the case at all…

Rory McIlroy was shocked by what Tyrrell Hatton told him in Dubai

McIlroy and Hatton are very close friends, and know each other inside out.

However, Hatton told McIlroy something about himself out in Dubai this week that genuinely stunned the five-time major champion.

When speaking to UK publication The Times, Hatton opened up on his recent weight gain.

“He (McIlroy) was horrified to hear what weight I was on January 1,“ he said.

“I was 204 pounds which, at 5ft 8in, is aggressive. Before the Ryder Cup I was like 190, so that’s another stone I’d put on. I enjoyed my December.

“I did some training but zero cardio and a lot of drinking. I had a Guinness tap in the house which was enjoyable, so now is the time to lose some weight.”

Huge 2026 season for Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton is obviously someone who likes to enjoy himself during the off-season, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

In fact, what would be the point in working so hard throughout the year without letting your hair down at the end of it?

Who will win the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic?

Rory McIlroy has won the tournament four times (2009, 2015, 2023, and 2024)

McIlroy enjoys himself during the off-season as well, but maybe not quite to the extent that Hatton does!

2026 will be a big year for Hatton.

The Englishman will be hoping to contend in the majors consistently and if he does, he’ll back himself to get over the line.

McIlroy will undoubtedly be up there in many of the big tournaments this season but will Hatton finally be able to get over the line?

In spite of his weight gain over Christmas, it would be foolhardy to back against him.