PGA Tour star Billy Horschel has slammed the LIV Golf rebels as ‘hypocrites’ following their decision to link up with the controversial series. The Saudi-backed circuit has split opinion in the world of golf, and it seems Horschel is firmly in the camp of the PGA and DP World Tour.
The likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods have all criticised those who have decided to defect, and these comments have now been echoed by Horschel. The BMW PGA Champion is at The Renaissance Club in Scotland for this week’s Scottish Open.
The event has been a hot topic in the LIV Golf saga, after DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley decided to ban those who chose to link up with the Saudis from the event.
In response a group of the defectors - led by Ian Poulter - filed a legal battle against Pelley and the Wentworth-based tour to overrule their punishments, which proved successful. Horschel however believes those who decided to join the controversial circuit should not be allowed back on the PGA and DP World Tours again.
He said: “I believe they made their bed. They decided to go play on that tour and they should go play there. They shouldn't be coming back over by DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. To say that they wanted to also support this tour, Whether DP or PGA Tour going forward while playing LIV tour, is completely asinine.
“To play the PGA Tour, you gotta play 15 events. Their schedules are now going to be 14 so they’re going to play 29 tournaments a year to still hold their membership on the PGA Tour? That’s ridiculous. Just coming to play the big events on DP World Tour, yeah, that helps. But that's not supporting the tour."
The American’s Renaissance rant continued, as he went on to describe Poulter and co as ‘hypocrites’, whilst asking them to leave those who remained loyal to the sport’s two leading tours ‘alone’. “Those guys made their bed. They say that's what they want to do. So just leave us alone. Honestly,” he added.
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"They keep talking about how the PGA Tour doesn't listen. I've been really frustrated by it because there's a lot of guys that are hypocrites, that aren't telling the truth and that are lying about some things. I just can't stand to sit here anymore and be diplomatic about it."
One argument put forward by the LIV Golf defectors to defend their decision was the flexible and quieter schedule the circuit offers, meaning they can spend more time at home with their family. Horschel however is less than convinced by this claim.
The 35-year-old added: “I'm not seeing my family for five weeks but that is what my wife and I decided. Am I crying about it? No. I'm living my dream of trying to play golf professionally and support my family financially.I'm just tired of this."
