Hatton

BOXER Brad Rea has paid a gushing tribute to the late Ricky Hatton – and vowed to fight on to make his mentor proud.

Hatton – Britain’s most beloved fighter – sadly passed away aged just 46 in September – leaving behind an iconic legacy.

9

9

9

Manchester light-heavyweight Rea was inspired to take up boxing by the legendary City fan and the two grew a formidable bond together.

Hatton befriended, coached and mentored Rea up until his sad passing.

Today, on Friday October 10, 2025, Hatton is laid to rest with his funeral at the Manchester Cathedral.

Rea – who fights Lyndon Arthur on November 1 – is in attendance and opened up on his special bond with the heroic Hitman.

He told SunSport: “I was lucky that I did have a good relationship and we were friends.

“But I think so many people, even people that maybe just met him once, maybe people that just got a picture with him once, seeing him in the pub or whatever, because of the way he was, everyone feels like they have that kind of personal connection with him.

“He was just down to earth and he was just one of us at the end of the day, no matter how big he made it.

“I think that’s why it has affected so many people and everyone does kind of feel like they know him in a way because he was so down to earth.

“So it’s been a tough one for me to take. It’s been a tough one for most of the boxing scene to take.”

Despite becoming inseparable, Rea admits the novelty of Hatton’s presence in his life never wore off.

He said: “It just kind of merged into one. I was with him so much and I’d see him so often and we’d spend so much time together in the gym kind of every day.

“You do kind of forget how big he was, how loved he was, and how many people he had an effect on.

“Then every now and again you’d be out sparring or you’d be walking down a residential street somewhere and you’d go, ‘It’s Ricky.’ You know what I mean?

“It’s not just Rick, this is the Hitman and, yeah every now and again I kind of had to pinch myself a little bit and go, ‘This is Ricky Hatton I’m sat in Nando’s with.’ It was a bit surreal.”

Despite Hatton’s superstardom and unrivalled fanfare – he dreaded ever being looked at as anything other than a working class people’s champion.

Rea said: “He was just one of the boys at the end of the day.

“He was so down to earth and that was why the other side come with it he didn’t think he was better than anyone else.

9

9

“He didn’t think he was a superstar and I think they probably go hand in hand, kind of just being so down to earth and then still being taken back by all the support.”

Two-weight world champion Hatton would spend 12 hard weeks preparing for his fights – and the rest of his time down the pub with his friends.

Rea was fortunate enough to have socialised with the boxing great – preferring to leave some of their more chaotic tales forever untold.

He beamed: “Oh, there’s so many. There’s so many but all of them I’m just laughing, I’m smiling because it’s just stupid times, rubbish jokes, cracking rubbish jokes.

“I’m lucky that I got multiple different sides of him. I got him as a coach, I had him as part of my team in my corner. I had him as a friend.

“I’ve been to the football with him. I’ve been out for a beer with him, I’ve been on a weekend to Dublin with him, I’ve had all different sides of him.

“I’ve got many memories to kind of look back on. Some stories that I can tell and some I’ll probably keep to myself!”

9

9

Rea was hit with the devastating news just months before his European title defence against Arthur at the Co-Op Live Arena.

And he has since returned to Hatton’s Hyde – where emotions are high.

Rea, 27, said: “I’d not been there for a while. It is a bit surreal. It is a little bit weird.

“Every time I’ve been in there, the majority of the time he’s in there, and he’s cracking jokes, you know, he’s being Rick.

“But at the end of the day there’s me, there’s a load of other lads in there that still got a job to do and he’d be disappointed if we were moping about and we weren’t training.

“He’d want us to get back at it and he want us to crack on and. So you’ve kind of just got to keep cracking on and do what you can to try and make him proud.”

And the best way to make City super-fan Hatton proud? Beat United supporter Arthur – a friend of former sparring partner – in their hometown.

Rea chuckled: “You know what it is? It’s more how we’d react if I let myself get beat by a United fan!

“He would never let me hear the end of it. He would be on my case and I can’t do that to him. I can’t let him down on that front.”

9

9

Rock band Oasis, who Hatton adored and would later befriend, were building on Manchester’s reputation as a capital of the music world.

Manchester United were dominating English football.

Hatton was playing his part in the ring and also giving his Manchester City-supporting backers something to cheer while their team struggled in the Red Devils’ shadow.

In the city centre, a new venue opened and staged a Torvill and Dean performance on its opening night.

“It was fortunate that they built the Manchester Arena when they did,” said Speak of the indoor venue that welcomed its first customers in 1995.

This is where Hatton had 15 of his professional fights. “It would become his fortress,” Speak said.

By the time Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu in 2005, he was selling out the arena.

Hatton stopped the man who was regarded as the world’s best light-welterweight to win the IBF title.

Danny Jackson, a close friend to Hatton and Manchester City’s matchday announcer, delivered an emotional speech in memory of his pal at the recent City-United derby.

He gives Hatton credit for putting his beloved football club – now giants of the world game – in the spotlight.

“You look at Rick’s time as a boxer, there wasn’t a lot to like about City then,” Jackson said.

“Rick was a bit of a shining light in that period. He got City’s brand out there to millions of people.”

Retired world champion Anthony Crolla described the Tszyu fight as “one of the greatest nights Manchester has ever had in any sport”.

The next day, Hatton set up camp at the New Inn in Hyde for what had become a regular celebration – nicknamed the not-so-nice shirt nights.

“He didn’t want to swan off to celebrity hotspots; he wanted to be around his mates and having a laugh,” said Jackson.

Paul Smith, the Liverpool world title challenger who trained alongside Hatton, remembers one fancy dress party when Hatton dressed as ‘Ginger Spice’ Geri Halliwell.

Those kind of images would get out and help to keep Hatton in the hearts of those from Manchester, because they could see he was one of them.

That never changed. This summer, Hatton attended a friend’s stag do in Portugal.

They set him up by giving him dissolvable swimming shorts to wear in the pool.

“There were a group of lads there from Leeds by the pool idolising him and they were saying ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to a superstar’,” said Jackson.

“He took the stick, he gave the stick, just a normal guy.”

DARREN BARKER is gutted his heartbreaking interview with Ricky Hatton was the British boxing legend’s last.

The 43-year-old former middleweight champion of the world sat down with the 46-year-old at his Manchester gym on Tuesday September 9 for a wonderful 90 minute podcast.

3

3

3

The two-weight world champ Hitman had to wrap-up the interview to collect his daughters from school. 

And, tragically, on the morning of Sunday 14 the national treasure was found dead at his home, leaving Barker and the rest of British sport sobbing.

The hour-and-half chat is available online and lets Hatton brilliantly reflect on his small-hall rise, legendary Kostya Tszyu world title win, iconic Las Vegas takeovers and his post-boxing demons.

It is a travesty it will be his final media appearance but a perfect reminder of the honest, open, funny and brilliant boy-next-door Hatton was and will be remembered as.

Barker told us: “I remember leaving him after that interview and I was gutted because I enjoyed his company that much.

”I said this at the top of the pod, he was perfectly Ricky Hatton.

“He was so funny, so warm towards me and the crew that were there, he was just bang on, he was perfect.

“And it was so nice to hear all of those stories directly from him.

“He was just a person that everyone wanted to be around; a great man, a boxing man, a family man, the people’s man and I was gutted that the interview was over.

“I was just gutted. I really am gutted.”

Barker – without any hint or suggestion of the tragedy that was around the corner – asked Hatton outright how he wanted to be remembered.

And his answer was a magnificent reminder of how the Manchester City and Oasis lover cherished his working-class reputation over every belt and pound he ever earned.

He said: “He was just that man-next-door, that relationship that he had with his fans.

“When I asked him how he wanted to be remembered, he mentioned the likes of Frank Bruno and Nigel Benn.

“And his name is in that mix and he was so proud to be alongside those great names.”

Darren Barker hosts Pro Project Promotions’ charity boxing event on October 18, that offers ten retired footballers another night in the limelight .

EUROPE were forced to make a late change to the line-up for Saturday’s foursomes after an injury concern.

Tyrrell Hatton was drafted in as a replacement by captain European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

2

2

The 33-year-old took part in the final game of Saturday afternoon alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.

He replaced Viktor Hovland, who suffered a neck injury.

Hovland played in the morning foursomes on Saturday as Europe extended their lead.

But his withdrawal was announced just minutes before the fourth and final Saturday afternoon tee off.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

MANCHESTER CITY paid a classy tribute to the “People’s Champion” Ricky Hatton following his sad passing.

British boxing legend Hatton – an avid City fans – was found dead on September 14.

5

5

He was just 46 years old.

City paid tribute on the weekend of his passing before their 3-0 win over United at the Etihad.

And it has continued with a banner raised behind one of the goal’s which read “The People’s Champion” with a mural of Hatton.

Flowers were also laid down in Hatton’s usual seat – with some of his family at the match – as City welcomed Burnley to the Etihad.

City manager Pep Guardiola was left almost in tears with the news of Hatton’s passing – and paid his respects before the derby win.

He said: “For all the Man City family it was a tough wake up.

“Of course the success, a world champion, a massive fan (of City). But the loss for his family, his kids and he was a grandad.

“On behalf of Man City and all the people I wish them the comfort in these incredibly tough hours, tough days and tough weeks.

“Of course it is a big, big loss for them, for the boxing world because he was a true, true champion and of course for the Man City family.”

City legend and former captain Vincent Kompany was a friend of Hatton’s and wrote online: We’ll miss you Ricky.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends. Rest in piece legend.”

Micah Richards added: “The news is devastating. I was taken aback because he’s such an icon.

“British icon, boxing, sports. True Man City fan but most importantly he was a man of the people. He was the nicest man ever.

“He was a deep person. Very deep. He overthought a lot of things. The news is just devastating.

“It’s absolutely ruined my mood for the whole day. He would be here today, celebrating. He’s had a box here many times.

“To get this news now just feels surreal. Someone so young, for this to happen now is devastating.”

City star Phil Foden was also spotted visiting Hatton’s family – carrying flowers.

Hatton won world titles at super-lightweight and welterweight – beating the great Kostya Tszyu in his crowning night in 2005.

But he struggled mentally following defeats to Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and then Manny Pacquiao two years later.

He returned in 2012 but retired after losing to Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton later became a coach and manager – beloved for his sense of humour and kind heart.

He had an exhibition with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera and was preparing for a comeback bout in Dubai in December.

Hatton leaves behind son Campbell, two daughters Millie and Fearne as well as his granddaughter Lyla.

The working class hero is and will always be Britain’s most adored fighter.

5

5

5

Ricky Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a 15-year boxing career, and was world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight. He last fought professionally in 2012, though had planned to return to the ring in October.

Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, Hatton established himself as a hugely popular fighter with character inside and outside the ring – an estimated 30,000 fans travelled to watch his title fight against the great Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in 2007.

Campbell was also a professional boxer and won his first 14 professional fights. He retired earlier this year.

Hatton’s family issued a statement on Monday in which they spoke of the outpouring of love and support towards him.

“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” it said.

Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, his all-action style saw Hatton became one of Britain’s most popular fighters, with a loyal following.

Those fans travelled in huge numbers to watch Hatton fight, with more than 30,000 heading to Las Vegas for his title bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2007.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham praised Hatton, who was a hugely popular figure in his home city.

“Ricky was much loved by so many in Greater Manchester. He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes,” Burnham posted on X.

“He made us smile and made us proud. We will find a way of honouring him properly. Rest in peace, Champ.”

Manchester City – the club Hatton proudly supported – paid tribute with a minute’s appreciation before Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.

A 10-bell salute to Hatton was also made at the World Boxing Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

Former world champion Barry McGuigan, who became a trainer and promoter after retiring in 1989, told BBC Radio 5 Live that he used to go on training runs with Hatton.

“He [Hatton] had a huge following, he had a magnetic and engaging personality outside the ring too,” McGuigan added.

“He liked to enjoy himself but he would train himself into phenomenal condition.”

Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno said his “life was enriched” by his friendship with Hatton.

He added on social media: “There will never be another Ricky or anyone like him and at this time I share the shock and upset of losing what I consider to be a great fighter, a friend and an amazing human being.”

Hatton’s former promoter Frank Warren said the fighter helped turn Manchester into the “capital of British boxing”.

Warren told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was phenomenal what he did for British boxing. We worked hard to get Manchester on the map – it wasn’t a big fight town, but he was quite instrumental in that happening.

“He crossed over in a big way to the general public – they got behind him. He became a serious man of the people, a really nice guy.”

Former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There will never be another Ricky Hatton – no one will get close to him. Every kid used to try and fight like him. That was the impact he had.”

Were you one of the fans who travelled to watch Hatton fight in Las Vegas? Get in touch using the tool below and tell us about your experience.

“HE was the heart of Hyde.”

Emily Tunnicliff, 25, laid her simple arrangement of flowers outside Ricky Hatton’s home, called The Heartbreak, to join the hundreds already there.

3

For many, the former boxer was the heart not only of Hyde but of Britain.

“I am from Hyde,” Emily added.

“He was proud of where he came from and we were proud of him.

“He has done so much for this city. He never forgot his roots.”

Her friend, boxer Tyler Dolby, 23, trains at Ricky’s brother Matthew’s gym nearby.

He agreed. He said: “He was an estate lad and you could never take that out of him. He was such an inspiration. He said to all the young lads here and in Britain you could all make it.”

In silence, a steady stream of mourners gathered at Ricky’s home to pay their respects.

Fans wearing Manchester United tops laid their tributes next to wreaths adorned with Ricky’s beloved Man City logo.

Charlie, 45, said: “I watched all his fights. I met him once and he was so nice and friendly. He was not a star, just Ricky.”

A grey rainy morning brought strong winds that blew over many of the tributes.

Kirsty Cartwright, 34, said: “I wanted to be here to show how much he was was loved.”

The boxer’s manager Paul Speak was there to look at the tributes.

He told The Sun: “It is just all too much to take in. All of it. I don’t have the words.”

The gates closed, with Ricky’s black Rolls-Royce on the drive.

But the mourners still came.

3

3

RICKY HATTON’s next opponent has broken his silence following the tragic death of the British boxer.

The former world champion was found dead aged 46 in his Manchester home on Sunday.

3

3

3

Eisa Al Dah, 46, was due to be the next person to face the Hitman in the ring in Dubai on December 2.

He has now broken his silence following the news of Hatton’s death.

He told The National: “In just a couple of hours, I was [going to see] him here in Dubai.

“We booked the hotel. We booked the [plane] ticket. Everything had been arranged.

“From my side, I was checking everything, and I was so excited to see him over here and visit us here in Dubai.

“And he was also excited. But suddenly, I get this news from his managers. My heart is broken.

“Since knowing I will fight him, I became very close to him, seeing his news, following him on Instagram.

“I follow his life, how he trained, everything. I cannot believe it. I wish somebody told me this is wrong.

“I’ve been through many things in my life in the boxing or business.

“But this is something that I cannot believe.”

More to follow…

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

A DJ and reality TV star has paid tribute to his late friend – champion Ricky Hatton.

The music producer – who is best known for his songs Darlin’ and You Want Me – shared a sentimental snap with boxer Ricky taken just weeks before his shock death.

5

5

Former Celebs Go Dating star Tom Zanetti posted the picture alongside his friend and wrote a touching tribute.

He penned: “So horrible. I was with him two weeks ago and speaking on Insta just recently.

“What a nice talented man, a natural comedian and obvs huge legend in boxing.

“So sad. Love and strength to Ricky’s family and friends.

“We never know what’s round the corner. We have to enjoy every day, take care of ourselves and each other.”

It comes after Ricky, 46, was found dead at his home over the weekend.

It’s thought pals called the police after they were unable to contact him.

Friends were ‘initially worried’ after The Hitman missed a gym session on Friday and was absent for an event in Bolton on Saturday, featuring one of his young boxers.

They then made a “concern for welfare” call to the police.

Cops discovered Ricky’s body at his £1.75million mansion in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, just before 7am.

Police yesterday said that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Friend DJ Tom found love earlier this year with model Hope Phillips after being single for four years.

He was last in a relationship with Made In Chelsea star Sophie Hermann.

Tom last dated Sophie after meeting her on Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion in early 2021.

Fans watched them fall for each other, with Tom joining her show Made In Chelsea that year.

However, just six months after they got together The Sun exclusively revealed how the couple had split up.

In the past, Tom has been open and honest about the tragic death of his girlfriend when he was in his early 20s.

He previously admitted to The Sun how he had spent years “trying to replace” his late girlfriend Lizzie.

The star’s world was rocked in 2010, aged 21, when his girlfriend of three years died in a car crash.

5

5

5

BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay paid tribute to late boxer Ricky Hatton at the start of Monday’s show, after news of his death broke on Sunday

Monday’s episode of BBC Breakfast kicked off with a heartfelt tribute to late boxing legend Ricky Hatton, following news of his passing on Sunday.

Hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent delivered an emotional opening as they began Monday’s (15 September) edition of BBC Breakfast, describing the former professional fighter as “adored”.

“Good morning, it is Monday, 15 September and tributes are being paid to Ricky Hatton after his death at the age of 46,” Sally opened. “Nicknamed The Hitman, he won world titles in two weight divisions and was simply adored by many fans.”

Jon added: “Following his retirement from boxing, Hatton was open about the struggles he faced in life, including problems with his mental health and addictions to drugs and alcohol. Police said his death is not believed to be suspicious.”

Ricky was discovered dead at his residence in Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester, on the morning of 14 September. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are not treating his death as suspicious.

A spokesperson revealed: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today [September 14] where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

Monday’s BBC Breakfast showcased numerous tributes to Ricky, with coverage displaying messages from various sports journalists, alongside celebrity figures such as Wayne Rooney, reports the Express.

A touching tribute was shared by former footballer Wayne, a close friend of the late boxer, in which he said: “I think he’s someone who captured the nation really. In terms of the support he got, it followed him all around the world in boxing. It’s devastating.”

Meanwhile, boxing journalist Steve Bunce highlighted the significance of Ricky’s openness about his struggles and commended the late boxer for making an “immense difference”.

“He actually made an immense difference. The amount of people that stopped him, times I was with him in different locations, where people would just stop him and say how much he’d helped by just raising his head, raising it up really high,” Steve commented on BBC Breakfast.

“The first sportsman in British sport to do it and talk about his mental health issues, talk about the darkness he was in.”

The journalist, appearing via video link, continued: “And also, face absolutely front on, like Ricky did in the ring, his addiction problems. He didn’t hide from them, he didn’t sweep them under the carpet, he didn’t push them aside and say ‘Oh, it’s nothing’. He dealt with them front on, face on.”

BBC Breakfast is broadcast at 6am on BBC One every day.

British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has died at 46, sparking tributes from across sport.

Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has died aged 46, Greater Manchester Police in the United Kingdom have confirmed.

Hatton, who was known to fans as “the Hitman”, was discovered at his home in Hyde, near Manchester, early on Sunday morning. Police said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am [05:45 GMT] today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

The Manchester-born fighter became one of Britain’s most celebrated boxers, winning world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight. During a 15-year professional career, he secured 45 wins from 48 bouts before retiring in 2012.

Hatton’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from the sporting world.

Former England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham posted on Instagram: “Ricky was one of a kind. Just heartbreaking.” Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wrote: “RIP to the legend Ricky Hatton. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this – so young.”

Football figures also paid respect to the lifelong Manchester City supporter. Before City’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday, the Etihad Stadium held a minute’s applause, with fans chanting his name.

City manager Pep Guardiola described him as “a true champion” and “part of the Man City family”. Wayne Rooney, who once carried Hatton’s belts into the ring, said on X that he was “devastated”, calling him “a legend, a warrior and a great person”.

Hatton’s career featured memorable victories over Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, while his only defeats came against boxing greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

In recent years, Hatton remained close to the sport. He attempted a comeback in 2012, fought in an exhibition with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022, and earlier this year announced plans to face Eisa Al Dah in Dubai. He also spoke openly about his battles with depression and featured in the 2023 documentary Hatton, which explored his personal struggles and mental health.

Rooney was 21 when he helped carry Hatton’s championship belts into the ring alongside legendary Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera before the Castillo fight.

“It was one of the most nervous I have ever been,” said Rooney.

“I was in the pool all day in Vegas, it was hot, and my face got a bit burnt, but then I remember standing in the dressing room and being nervous.

“He hadn’t lost at that time. I was thinking, ‘He does not lose tonight. Is it on you? Is it your fault?'”

Hatton went on to retain his IBO light welterweight crown with a stunning fourth-round knockout.

Rooney said they went to a beach party afterwards with family and had “a great day”.

He added: “So often you see any type of celebrity who are not really relatable, but Ricky was certainly relatable and good fun to be around.”

He earned notable world title wins over Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before defeats by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton inspired a devoted following during his glittering career.

More than 30,000 fans travelled to Las Vegas for Hatton’s title fight with Mayweather in 2007, and a chorus of “there’s only one Ricky Hatton” echoed around the MGM Grand even after he was stopped.

Those same chants were heard in his final professional fight in his home city of Manchester five years later.

In July Hatton announced his return to the ring. He was due to fight Eisa Al Dah at middleweight on 2 December in Dubai.

Organisers said the contest would be a professional bout, but it was unclear whether it would be fully sanctioned.

Hatton made an unsuccessful professional comeback in 2012, when he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester, and fought Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition in 2022.

After agreeing to fight former rival turned friend Barrera, Hatton spoke about his battles with depression.

In 2023 he was the subject of a documentary ‘Hatton’, in which he discussed his personal life and mental health issues.

Tyrrell Hatton has revealed how he got hopelessly drunk – and violently sick! – after qualifying for his fourth Ryder Cup.

Hatton said he went on a “bit of a tear-up” with Jon Rahm – the player he teamed up with in Rome two years ago – when European captain Luke Donald rang to confirm he was definitely on the team.

3

3

That came as a surprise to the English ace. He feared he would be knocked out of the six automatic spots on the team by some of the European stars in action at last month’s Tour Championship.

He explained: “Luke called me to say the guys weren’t earning points in Atlanta, and I’d actually made the team automatically. That was a very nice phone call to receive, and I was over the moon.

“Jon had just won the LIV individual title, so we had a bit of a tear-up. Yeah, that was a messy night. I don’t ever want to get into that state again to be honest.

“When I actually got back into my hotel room, I fell across the bed sideways, face down and fell asleep in that position.

“Then I woke up throwing up in that same position.

“Then I fell back asleep, and when I woke up again, I had gotten sick all down my arms, both sides, all down my shirt.

“I get off the bed and walk around to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and I’ve got sick on my face, and in my beard.

“How I set an alarm to make a flight in a few hours’ time, I don’t know.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

“But yeah, waking up in a slightly more sober state was horrendous, and having to clean up that mess. I ended up calling my wife, Emily, and saying: ‘I don’t know what to do’.

“I was rushing to make the room somewhat more acceptable before leaving.

“So I ended up stripping the bed, leaving some cash and a note, saying I was really sorry, I was sick in the bed in the night, please throw it in the trash.

“I feel like I did the right thing but I was obviously in a pretty bad state. I do not ever want to feel as bad as I did that next day. Yeah, that was aggressive.”

Hatton, 33, who is one of the star attractions at this week’s BMW PGA Championship, proceeded to give details of just how much he had drunk – admitting the episode was like a remake of the hit film The Hangover.

He added: “I had like six glasses of wine at dinner, and then I had a double gin and tonic.

3

“Drunk that at a very normal rate, and then Jon was deciding what he wanted and he said Disaronno Sours.

“And I was like, perfect, go on them. They go down very easily.

“Then I was starting the chant of basically getting someone to down it, and then every cocktail that then followed was a shot.

“So we then ran out of Disaronno Sour. The guy at the bar made some hazelnut sour which wasn’t great, but we still had a few of them.

“Then there was a margarita and then there was a strawberry vodka thing.

“God, it was aggressive. It was horrible. But I mean, it was funny at the time. Not so much the next day.”

Ryder Cup line ups

Here are the players who will be competing in the Ryder Cup…

Team Europe

• Luke Donald (C)
• Shane Lowry
• Jon Rahm
• Sepp Straka
• Viktor Hovland
• Ludvig Aberg
• Matt Fitzpatrick
• Rory McIlroy
• Robert MacIntyre
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Justin Rose
• Rasmus Hojgaard
• Tyrrell Hatton

Team USA

• Keegan Bradley (C)
• Justin Thomas
• Collin Morikawa
• Ben Griffin
• Cameron Young
• Patrick Cantley
• Sam Burns
• Scottie Scheffler
• JJ Spaun
• Xander Schauffele
• Russell Henley
• Harris English
• Bryson DeChambeau

Soggy conditions changed the dynamic of the course but not the difficulty as Burns and Spaun traded blows in the final group.

Both are winners on the PGA Tour but they also share play-off defeats this season – Spaun at The Players Championship by Rory McIlroy in March and Burns only last week on the fourth play-off hole as Ryan Fox won the Canadian Open.

The two briefly swapped places at the beginning of the round but were level for the majority of Saturday and both picked up birdies on the 17th to move clear of Scott on four under.

But Spaun, who still boasts the only bogey-free round of the week on Thursday, hit an erratic tee shot at the 18th. That led to a bogey and cost him a place in Sunday’s final group.

That spot alongside Burns will be filled by Scott, who is making his 96th consecutive appearance at a major championship.

His second shot at the 14th was sublime, landing a foot from the pin, and his fist-pump celebration to raucous cheers after making birdie on 17 showed his heart – and popularity – remain undimmed.

On Friday, Scott said a second major title would “go a long way” in fulfilling himself. He is well placed to make that happen on Sunday and has the added bonus of being the only player in contention to have contested the 2007 and 2016 US Opens at Oakmont.

“I was less overwhelmed coming to Oakmont this time, and that’s not a knock on the golf course, but maybe just a couple trips around the U.S. Open here, I knew what to expect,” said Scott, who missed the cut in 2007 and finished joint 18th in 2016.

And do not discount Hovland, who despite coming within inches of hitting his opening drive out of bounds, retained his composure to produce a typically swashbuckling round that featured three birdies and three bogeys.

“I’m well aware that I’ve got a chance, and if I shoot a low round of golf then anything can happen,” he said of his chances of winning a first major on Sunday.

On Thursday, some players at Quail Hollow – including world number one Scottie Scheffler – complained about mud balls, where golf balls get covered in mud and dirt during bad weather.

Preferred lies – a rule sometimes used during periods of adverse weather that permits players to lift, clean and place their ball within a specified distance of its original position on closely-mown areas – were not sanctioned for use by the PGA of America.

Lowry’s tee shot on the eighth hole pitched on the fairway and bounced sideways into a divot left by another player, which meant he was not allowed the relief for an embedded ball that would have applied had it been in his own pitch mark.

“You hit a lovely tee shot, you’re not expecting that,” said world number 10 Lowry.

“I was obviously very annoyed with that because I felt like I had quite a bit of momentum going in the round, and standing there with 40 or 50 yards to the pin off the fairway it’s an easy pitch shot for me – and I walk away making bogey.”

Lowry was particularly unhappy with the unsolicited input of an on-course reporter, adding: “The ESPN guy was a bit too involved when he wasn’t asked to be and that’s what annoyed me a lot.

“He came straight over and said: ‘That’s not your pitch mark.’ That’s not for you to talk about, it’s for me to call a rules official and decide what happens.

“I wasn’t arguing that it was my pitch mark, I was trying to be 100% sure because imagine if I come in [after the round] and all of a sudden somebody told me that was my pitch mark.

“They told Brooks [Koepka] his ball was OK yesterday and it was on the driving range, so you need to be careful about what you’re doing because there’s so much at stake.”