Ping Signs Tyrrell Hatton to Multi-Year Deal in Surprise Move

Tyrrell Hatton Spotted Using New Ping Driver During Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship Practice Round.

The former LIV golfer was seen using a brand new driver at Yas Links believed to be the Ping G450 LST which hit the USGA's Conforming List on Monday.

Although it's only November, new equipment is already being seeded by brands, with Ping G450 drivers hitting the USGA's Conforming List on Monday.

Three models feature, as does a mini driver, with the new clubs seemingly already making their way into the bags of the world's best, as Tyrrell Hatton was spotted using one of the G450 driver models during a practice round at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

Making his first appearance since officially leaving the LIV Golf League, Hatton is one of many notable names in the field at Yas Links, which is the first of two DP World Tour play-off events.

Previously, the Englishman had been using the Ping G430 LST and Ping G440 LST drivers, alternating regularly throughout the 2026 season.

In Abu Dhabi, though, he was seen using a new Ping driver, which we believe to be the LST version of the G450, due to it possessing a back weight port and the Carbonfly Wrap crown that has become synonymous with the best Ping drivers and fairway woods.

Another aspect that seems to have changed is the shaft Hatton uses.

At the Open de Espana, he was using a bright blue Mitsubishi Diamana TB 60 TX but, in Abu Dhabi, a black and white Diamana shaft appeared to be in play.

It's currently unclear as to what model of shaft the 35-year-old was using during his practice round and, although little is known about the new Ping models, previous gear releases can give us an indication of when to potentially expect the G450 range.

The Conforming List features Max, LST (Low Spin) and SFT (Straight Flight (Draw)) models as well as a MiniMax model likely referring to the mini driver option.

Ping built a prototype mini driver earlier this year, which was put in play by numerous players on tour, but this could well be a full retail version launching soon.

At last year's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in November, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were seen using the TaylorMade Qi4D range of drivers and fairway woods, with the clubs then released to the public in early January.

While it's uncertain whether Hatton is the only Ping staffer with the new driver in the bag, there are other players using the manufacturer's clubs this week, including Joe Dean, Dan Bradbury and Thriston Lawrence.

All four players are among a 70-man field teeing it up at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, despite uncertainty around the event due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, fueled by numerous wars across the region.

In fact, prior to the tournament starting, the DP World Tour provided anyone involved in the event with instructions on what to do should an emergency be declared this week.

In the statement, titled 'Mobile Phone Alerts & Emergency Procedures,' it explains that play will be suspended immediately if the UAE authorities issue a mobile phone alert, while those on the course should evacuate as per the evacuation plans and proceed to the clubhouse.

HATTON'S LIV GOLF EXIT

Hatton officially left the LIV Golf League last month, confirming his departure in a brief Instagram post.

“Wanted to confirm that I will not be part of LIV 2.0,” he wrote.

“A big thank you to everyone for their continued support.

I am excited for what the next chapter of my career holds.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Abu Dhabi.”

The news of LIV's collapse emerged on Wednesday night, when BC Partners, the credit firm that was planning to save LIV, decided to pull out of a $300 million deal.

The league's lawyers confirmed on Thursday that it would be wound down.

Hatton learned of the collapse at breakfast on the first day of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

“I only heard at breakfast this morning,” Hatton told reporters at Yas Links, where he fired a first round 67 in the DP World Tour's $9 million playoff event.

“I don’t have social media on my phone so it’s kind of news to me.

“I already said I wasn’t continuing with 2.0 but it’s sad.

There was a lot of great people that worked on LIV and a lot of people lost their jobs so that’s pretty sad in itself and I had some great memories on LIV.”

Hatton won twice during his three seasons on LIV, including at Valderrama in June, while banking almost $20 million in prize money.

“I enjoyed being Jon [Rahm]’s teammate for three years and had some fantastic experiences,” the Englishman added.

“So at the end of the day I think it is sad but from my side I’ll obviously move on and looking forward to the future now.”

Jon Rahm, who also played on LIV, was inadvertently informed about the news by reporters after shooting a seven-under 65, in what was his first round since finishing last in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in September.

“No reaction really,” Rahm said.

“I kind of had an idea what might happen.

My decision was already made to get out of it and go on.

I said my bit already on what I thought about LIV 2.0, and there’s not much more I can say.

“There’s no feelings of regret.

I am not the type of person to regret things.

It doesn’t change anything.”

WHAT THE G450 MEANS FOR PING

The Ping G450 LST driver that Hatton was spotted using represents the next generation of Ping's driver technology.