DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tyrrell Hatton displayed poor sportsmanship during his third round at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Saturday, as he broke his golf club in frustration and was heard loudly cursing on several occasions, particularly after missing a short par putt from less than two feet.

The feisty English golfer’s behavior drew criticism from Ewen Murray, a commentator for Sky Sports in the UK. After Hatton mishit his third shot on the 14th hole and drove his iron club into the ground hard enough to break it, Murray remarked, “It’s time for change, I’m afraid. That’s a terrible influence on the next generation,” highlighting his concerns about Hatton’s impact on younger players.

Going into the third round, Hatton was just one stroke behind the tournament leader at this significant event, marking the conclusion of the European tour season. However, his performance faltered as he struggled on the fourth hole, missing a birdie attempt from 12 feet, and when trying to convert a simple tap-in par, his ball somehow lipped out, resulting in a bogey instead.

Frustration continued to build for Hatton, who made a reckless swing at a divot after his approach shot on the eighth hole missed the green entirely. His demeanor turned even more volatile on the 11th hole when he missed a five-foot putt for birdie; visibly upset, he slammed his putter down on the green and was heard yelling profanities that were captured on the broadcast.

The anger didn’t stop there, as he could be heard cursing again on the 13th hole after his tee shot ended up on the fringe. As the 18th-ranked player in the world, Hatton’s actions could potentially lead to a fine from the tour due to his unsportsmanlike conduct.

At 33 years old, Hatton made headlines earlier this year by joining the LIV Golf series but continues to participate in events on the European tour.