Dame Laura Davies believes Tyrrell Hatton has proved he is ready to win the bigs this year after his success at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Hatton won his first Rolex Series championship since 2021 with a strong hold Sunday to face New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier in an exciting final.

The 33-year-old has not played a major in four of golf’s majors but could be a part of The Masters in April, if his form continues, after finishing last season strong on the LIV stage and winning the Alfred Dunhill Links. Championship for the third time.

“He’s got his game in a good place. The next one is big. Is he ready to win the bigs? Absolutely,” Davies said Sky Sports Golf.

“I’m telling you, Augusta National, the way he’s driving, you have to think it’s going to suit him because he’s going to hit him both ways if he wants to.

“The next one is big, there’s no question about that, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next year.”

Hatton competes in the LIV Golf League, so they will have only four seniors this year to earn some Ryder Cup points.

He did not lose a match in the 2023 Ryder Cup, won by 3.5 points and should be in Team Europe, as a qualifier or Luke Donald’s selection.

The top six players only qualify for the prestigious golf tournament through the Ryder Cup Points List, with points awarded throughout the season leading up to the Ryder Cup on September 26-28 in New York – live. Sky Sports.

“This event and the big four this year is big for me to try and get as many points as possible to try and qualify, so it’s a big step in the right direction,” Hatton said.

Davies: McIlroy will have a big year

Rory McIlroy finished 2024 on a high by winning the final round of the DP World Tour Championship to win the Race to Dubai and register a sixth Harry Vardon Trophy.

After a heartbreaking finish at last year’s US Open, McIlroy is eager to end the long wait that began in 2014.

On Sunday, he extended the lead from 12 to 4 in the final round of his first tour of 2025. He was unable to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the fifth time, but Davies thinks McIlroy will take confidence from his strong finish.

“He was rusty but he finished fourth in a very good field. The likes of Jon Rahm missed the cut. It was a tough test and he hadn’t played in a long time and I feel good,” he said.

“When he’s back on the PGA Tour, he’s playing regularly, week in, week out, he’s working out the little wrinkles.

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“If his play is as good as it was in Dubai at the end of last season, we know he misses birdie putts, but he gives himself a lot of chances.

“He’s going to have a big year and I think Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are going to have their hands full with Rory this year.”

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