Billy Horschel confronts fan at PGA National; fan ejected
· Yahoo Sports
PALM BEACH GARDENS — Billy Horschel has never been shy about speaking his mind, even to an unruly fan.
Especially to an unruly fan.
Visit catcrossgame.com for more information.
Horschel made news Thursday when he said the Champion course setup has been made too easy by a Ryegrass overseed for this week’s Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches at PGA National.
A fan reminded him of those comments Friday after Horschel’s second shot from behind the par-3 15th hole sailed into the water. Horschel immediately turned and had a conversation with the fan.
“Everyone has been saying ‘overseed, overseed.’ It wasn't the first time I heard it today, but obviously in that situation, I hit a bad golf shot and they wanted to say it, and I just said, ‘Who said that?’” Horschel said. “A guy sort of said a couple more things and said I was bad-mouthing the golf course, and that couldn't be the furthest from the truth.
“I've praised this golf course for many, many years. If I didn't like this golf course, I wouldn't come here and play every year. I said, ‘Read the entire quotes from the last couple years.’ I've enjoyed this golf course. When it's benign, it's gettable. When it's the way it is the last two days with the wind blowing, it's a challenge. I wanted to make sure I informed him on that, and that was it.”
Horschel, who was 5-under at the time, went to the drop area and eventually made a triple bogey. The fan was ejected after the exchange.
“I didn't ask for him to be kicked out,” Horschel said. “I guess he's been saying some other stuff throughout the day, and they proceeded to just escort him out of here. Everyone has a right to say things. I think there's just a level of respect when somebody is trying to do their job.
“I think I can interact with a crowd as much or as little as anybody out here. But I just think it should be respectful. That's all I ask for. It's not like I'm going to their job sniping off to them a little bit.”
Horschel bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes to fall more than 10 shots behind leader Austin Smotherman after a 73. When asked if the verbal exchange affected his finish, Horschel smiled.
“A fan affecting me out on the golf course will never happen,” he said. “I affect myself enough.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Billy Horschel confronts fan at Cognizant Classic