Golf star one shot off leaders after 'a few pints of Guinness' on eve of Open
The world No.23 followed that up with an opening 68 on Thursday to sit a shot off the lead shared by Matt Fitzpatrick.
LIV star Hatton said: 'To be honest, it reminded me of being a kid again and playing the local course. We had a few pints of Guinness afterwards.
'Some people might say it is not the best preparation for a Major, but it was good for me. I'm happy with how I played.'
Fitzpatrick revealed he has bounced back from the 'lowest' point of his career to shoot his best opening round at a Major.
The Yorkshireman spent close to two years in the world's top ten after his 2022 US Open triumph.
But he slumped to No.85 earlier this year and sacked his veteran caddie Billy Foster after hitting rock-bottom and missing the cut at The Players.
Fitzpatrick, 30, has started to rediscover his old form after working with new coach Mark Blackburn since April. The Sheffield star shot a superb 67 in the wind and rain – helped by an outrageous chip-in birdie at Calamity Corner. 'Sometimes you need that bit of luck, but I just felt like I did everything well,' Fitzpatrick said.
'I've been playing well recently. I was in a low place this year and even last year. The Players this year was the low point. It was really bad, and even Valero, a couple of weeks later, I couldn't find the face with the ball. It was just not good. That's the lowest I've been in my career.
'Statistically, it could be my worst run as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going.
'The turning point was at RBC when I saw Mark for the first time. I have changed my technique with my irons. I am proud of the results. I feel I have ground my way out of where I was.'
Last year's Amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen also shot a 67 in his first Major since turning pro at the end of last year.
Hoylake's Matthew Jordan is a shot back after shooting a 68 – his best Major score – as he seeks a third-consecutive top-ten finish at the Open. The world No.152 said: 'I know I made a couple mistakes, but that was probably the best I've played.'
Masters runner-up Justin Rose was one of only two players, along with Li Haotong, to keep a bogey off his card.
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