At Glance
‣ Billy Horschel attributes part of the ongoing divisiveness in men’s professional golf to some supporters of LIV Golf, emphasizing the need to end the bickering to foster the sport’s growth.
‣ Despite the PGA Tour’s recent $3bn deal with Strategic Sports potentially reducing the need for PIF investment, Horschel acknowledges the value of having LIV players return to the PGA Tour to enhance its perception and value.
‣ Horschel suggests that competition between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf could be beneficial, as it forces both to improve, but ultimately believes the PGA Tour’s product will prevail due to its superior quality.
Does the PGA Tour need LIV players to come back?
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod)
Billy Horschel’s got something to say, and it’s about time we all lent an ear. He reckons that the folks rooting for LIV Golf are stirring the pot, making the pro golf scene a tad too spicy for his liking. Just last week, Billy found himself back in the winner’s circle at the Corales Puntacana Championship. That’s his eighth PGA Tour win, folks. But it’s not all confetti and champagne; golf’s in a bit of a pickle these days.
You see, it’s been nearly a year since the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to shake hands on a deal. Yet, according to Guy Kinnings, the big boss at DP World Tour, they’ve barely scratched the surface on chats between the game’s head honchos. And with TV ratings taking a nosedive, everyone’s getting antsy for a solution to end this golf civil war. Especially Rory McIlroy, sitting pretty at World No.2, who’s pretty vocal about wanting the gang back together.
Then there’s Jordan Spieth, throwing another curveball into the mix. He’s all, “Hey, we just bagged a $3bn deal with Strategic Sports, so maybe we’re good without the PIF cash or the LIV stars?” Horschel, chatting on Barstool’s Foreplay pod, gets it. He’s like, “I see both sides of the coin here.” On one hand, he’s nodding along with Rory, thinking if PIF’s in the game, then let’s bring everyone under the PGA Tour’s big tent. But then, he’s also tipping his hat to Jordan, saying a little competition never hurt anybody. In fact, it might just spice things up, making both tours up their game.
And oh, if you’re into keeping tabs on all things golf, Horschel’s dropping a hint to subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter. They’ve got the scoop on tour news, gear reviews, and all that jazz. But back to the drama. Horschel’s not done yet. He points out that the LIV supporters are kinda fanning the flames of this feud. “We gotta cut out this bickering,” he says. It’s turning the fans off, and honestly, it’s not doing the sport any favors.
He’s bracing for some backlash, especially from his PGA Tour homies, admitting they’ve toned down the trash talk a bit. But those LIV supporters? They’re still lobbing zingers. Horschel’s plea is simple: Let’s bury the hatchet. The game’s bigger than this squabble, and it’s high time everyone remembered that.
