Tyrrell Hatton is enjoying life back on the DP World Tour, having made a return to the Wentworth-based circuit after spending the majority of the year at LIV Golf.

Having started his year on the DP World Tour at January’s Dubai Desert Classic, Hatton followed in the footsteps of his Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm, joining the Spaniard’s LIV franchise, Legion XIII. From then on his focus lay firmly with the breakaway league, before returning to the Tour in late August.

Hatton entered the British Masters at The Belfry with the LIV star required to make four DP World Tour starts by the end of the year to keep his membership and remain eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Having played Dubai and The Belfry, Hatton needed two more starts on his tally, which came at the Spanish Open before returning for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a week later. And his trip to Scotland was a succesful one, as the 33-year-old won the event for a third time.

With a victory and four starts in the bag, Hatton played his way into the DP World Tour playoffs, starting in Abu Dhabi this week. Joining the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry in the field, Hatton was back in familiar territory in an event he won in 2021.

His recent comeback has been important for both Hatton’s Ryder Cup hopes and world ranking, and it has been one he has enjoyed. “It’s been great,” Hatton said of his DP World Tour return. “It’s a little bit odd this week because normally we’re here in January and it’s the start of the season.

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US.

“I guess in some ways, it’s consistent with feeling maybe a little bit rusty coming into this tournament. Yeah, it’s great to be back out here, and looking forward to the rest of the week.” Hatton was speaking after making his mark in round one of the event at Yas Links.

The Legion XIII member carded a superb eight-under-par 64 on Thursday, which included 10 birdies, to leave him two back of round one leader, Fleetwood. On Friday, Hatton added to his tally with a four-under 68 to leave him at 12-under for the tournament heading into the weekend.

The Englishman and his fellow stars will have work to do on Saturday to chase down leader Paul Waring though. Looking for only his second DP World Tour win, Waring followed up an eight-under 64, with a remarkable 11-under 61 in round two, which included an eagle and nine birdies.

This leaves the Englishman two shots clear of the chasing pack as the clubhouse leader, sitting at 19-under through 36 holes.