Billy Horschel is surprised by how much fans have lost interest in men’s golf due to ongoing conflicts.
This week, he’s gearing up for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after his victory over Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship. The tournament is buzzing because 14 LIV Golf players are joining in, which adds a lot of drama.
The event also has an interesting twist: PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan and Saudi PIF’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan are playing together, with Horschel and Dean Burmester nearby. This is part of efforts to mend fences since talks began on June 6, 2023, between DP World Tour, PGA Tour, and PIF.
Horschel had previously been vocal about those who joined LIV Golf, famously saying at the Genesis Scottish Open that “those guys made their bed.” When reminded of this comment recently, he stood by it but also expressed no hard feelings towards LIV or its backers. He believes competition can be beneficial for everyone involved.
Golf’s Ongoing Drama:
Fans might think all this drama is making golf less fun to watch. Horschel thought it would take five years for things to come together again but now sees progress happening faster than expected. Despite this speed-up, he admits that the division has hurt fans the most.
He noted how surprising it was that such a split could make people lose interest in golf. Fans have always been central to the sport’s success; without them and sponsors, players would just be playing for themselves.
Horschel stressed that bringing unity back to golf is crucial not just for players but especially for fans who keep the game alive. His thoughts echo Bryson DeChambeau’s earlier comments about needing a resolution soon before more fans drift away.
In your opinion, do you think these efforts will bring fans back?
