It doesn’t look like Billy Horschel will be looking for a move to LIV Golf anytime soon. The American star has aimed a pointed jibe at the Saudi-backed tour, following a year where he manged to make history on European soil.
The 37-year-old prevailed at the BMW Championship at Wentworth in September, dramatically sinking an eagle putt to beat Rory McIlroy in a playoff.
It made him the first player from his country to win the event twice, and is one of seven tournaments he’s played on the DP World Tour in 2024.
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Horschel last month also committed to the Dunhill Links event and French Open. He missed the cut on both occasions, but his willingness to travel from the States and participate underlined his willingness to regularly play in Europe.
He is now set to play in the DP World Tour Championship this week, and will tee-off lying fourth overall in the Race to Dubai. And ahead of the event, Horschel has made it clear where he believes LIV ranks in golf’s hierarchy.
“I support this tour, and I love this tour,” he said in Tuesday’s press conference. “I think the world of this tour. But at the same time, I don’t support this tour 20-plus events out of the year.
“Obviously the PGA Tour is where I play mostly but I want to make sure that these guys understand how special this tour is, how special I think it is, and then what I think of them as golfers. I think they are really great players out here.
“I think it’s honestly – and quality and talent-wise, I think it’s the second best tour in the world, and you see it on a regular basis. And the more I come over here the more, I’m impressed by the way these guys play on TV, I always have but when you see it in person you get a better perspective of the players.”
The failure to mention LIV implied that Horschel is not a fan of the concept, that involves 54-hole tournaments and shotgun starts. His comments come after unfounded claims from Ian Poulter last year that the player had asked for a sizeable sum to jump ship.
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In an argument on social media, Poulter responded to Horschel accusing him of lying over stats about his club head speed. He argued that his rival had asked for a sizeable sum to join the rebel tour.
Horschel has three career wins to his name in Europe, as well as eight PGA Tour titles. And his apparent jibe at LIV comes with all factions reportedly on the brink of an historic merger agreement that will see all three major tours work alongside each other.
