"I have no issue with LIV Golf" - Billy Horschel changes his tune against Saudi league two years after his memorable 20-minute rant

Two years ago, Billy Horschel went on a rant claiming that players on LIV Golf have "made their bed" and now they needed to live with the consequences that came from it. That included not coming back to play on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour.

Since then, the American golfer has had a change of heart. He has softened his stance, and ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he was asked what drove him to reconsider.

Horschel clarified what he said, adding that the LIV players had broken the PGA and DP World Tour rules. He called himself a "big rule-follower" and said (via ASAP Sports):

"I don't like to break rules. But I also felt at the same time as I said, I have no issue with LIV. I have no issues with the Saudis. I think competition is a great forum to better a person, better a company, to improve, and I've always said the PGA Tour would - I would always bet on the PGA Tour to win out."

Horschel said that at the time, even if he didn't publicly state it, he felt that a resolution would come eventually. He just assumed it would come five years down the road, not as soon as it seemingly has.

---

Billy Horschel opens up on fan impact of golf split

Fans have been at the center of the LIV Golf - PGA Tour war, and it has created some unpleasantness for them. A metaphorical war was waged, and two sides were clearly formed.

Billy Horschel acknowledges fans in LIV debate (Imagn)

Billy Horschel can now acknowledge that they lost out, saying that as he looks at the sport now, he would have been surprised at the "disinterest" the chasm created. He said (via ASAP Sports):

"And that's really who has sort of been hurt by all this. I feel like as all golf fans, as much as I play golf for a living; I'm a golf fan. I'm a golf fanatic. I watch golf all the time."

Horschel continued:

"I do believe some coming together and some semblance of healing to the game and showing what the game is going to be going forward is what we need for everyone involved, but especially for the fans."

Billy Horschel believes that without the fans and sponsors, they are playing the game just to play it and not to make money and a living doing something they love.

The merger was agreed to in the summer of 2023 but has not yet progressed to resolution. Initially, the Department of Justice held things up, but now it's a matter of the two sides hammering out the details of what is agreed upon.