Tyrrell Hatton claims Ryder Cup ‘team spirit’ was a big motivation for joining LIV Golf as he speaks out on his defection from the PGA Tour for the first time… but admits he’s ‘not up to speed’ on his rival rosters

Tyrrell Hatton said LIV Golf’s team format – similar to the Ryder Cup – was one of the main reasons for him leaving the PGA Tour and joining the Saudi-backed golf circuit.

Hatton became the latest major defector to leave the traditional tour for LIV, which is now about to enter its third season.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Hatton said the team spirit in LIV was something he felt was lacking in golf.

‘I love the Ryder Cup. Besides golf, I follow other sports that are team sports,” Hatton explains.

“You’re a bit jealous of those guys who have that team spirit week in, week out, and that was something that was very attractive to me about joining LIV.

Hatton will tee off for the Legion XIII team, along with Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm

Hatton admits he still needs to familiarize himself with the other teams on the breakout tour

‘I’m looking forward to getting to know the boys. Apparently we didn’t actually meet until this morning.

“Obviously I know Jon. But yeah, it’s going to be a fun year and I’m looking forward to getting started.’

Hatton joins the Legion XIII team, playing alongside Jon Rahm, Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent.

As for his competition, Hatton admits he needs some time to get comfortable with who he’s playing against.

“I’m not really up to speed on all the guys on all the teams yet, but at the end of the day we’re just going to go out there and do our best, like we do every week, and I mean since it’s the first week back for a lot of guys , there may be a little bit of rust.

“That said, if I’m going to play a bad game of golf on Friday, I don’t really have many excuses. Anyway, we will do our best and hopefully we will be one of the teams at the top.”

LIV Golf begins its third season this weekend in Mayakoba, just south of Cancun, Mexico.