Billy Horschel opens up about his relationship with LIV Golf defectors- "We've had some discussions"
Billy Horschel is all set to play the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside a host of LIV Golf players who will be joining the field this weekend. With the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger on everyone's mind, Horschel spoke about his relationship with the Saudi-backed league's defectors during the pre-tournament press conference.
Two years ago at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, Billy Horschel had ripped into all golfers that left for LIV Golf. He called them 'hypocrites' in what became an infamous 20 minute rant. However, Horschel's stance seems to have changed or at least softened towards LIV Golfers.
Speaking about his relationship with them, Billy Horschel said via ASAP Sports:
"I still have a lot of great relationships with a lot of LIV guys. I still talk to them all the time. I still message them. And so yeah, we've had some discussions. And as I said in Scotland in '22, I do believe there is some form of team golf that can be successful in the game of golf."
Horschel also went on to say that he has spoken with them extensively about the future of the game, and the possibility of having a world tour. Horschel also acknowledged the need to grow the game outside of USA.
"I've spoken for several years to them about what I think the future of the game of golf looks like. For six to eight years, I always felt a world tour would be created in my time. Just understanding the economics of the game of golf and trying to increase that side."
However, Horschel does still hold many qualms regarding the LIV Golf series.
Billy Horschel speaks about the key difference between what makes the PGA Tour better than LIV Golf
Billy Horschel has stated that he is quite a big fan on the of the 72-hole format, and believes that LIV Golf's 54-hole format has not been convincing enough to make the tour a 'champions' tour.
"But I also did say, I didn't think as they were promoting at the time, that the 54-hole shotgun start was the future of the game of golf. I'm a big believer in the 72-hole individual, the way we have it, will always be the future of the game of golf; will always be how we define "champions" in the game of golf."
However, Billy Horschel also gave credit where credit is due, and spoke about the team aspect of the game being engaging for many fans. He hopes that this will get discussed and with the LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger there will be a way to have it in the future as well.