Billy Horschel has accused the players who have joined LIV Golf as “hypocrites and liars” and urged them to stay away from the established tours.
Horschel conducted a passionate defense of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour ahead of the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open, which will feature a number of LIV players after their suspensions for playing in the inaugural event of the Saudi-backed breakout are temporary had ceased appeal.
Following a Sport Resolutions (UK) hearing on Monday, the suspensions imposed on Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding were lifted and they were added to the field at Renaissance Club, with more to follow.
But while Horschel insisted he harbors no ill will towards such players, the world’s number 15 made his feelings on the divisive topic abundantly clear.
“I think they’ve made their beds,” Horschel said. “They decided to play on that tour and they should play there. They shouldn’t be coming back to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour.
“To say that they wanted to support this tour as well, be it DP or PGA Tour, while playing LIV tour is completely ridiculous. Those guys have made their beds. They say they want to do that. So just leave us alone.
“They keep talking about how the PGA Tour isn’t listening. I’m really frustrated with it because there are a lot of guys who are hypocrites, who don’t tell the truth and who lie about some things.
“I just can’t stand sitting here and being diplomatic about it.
“The comments they make, comments that (PGA Tour Commissioner) Jay Monahan is not listening to us. Jay Monahan and everyone at HQ work tirelessly for us to reap financial rewards and get every opportunity we have.
“I’m one of the over 200 members of the PGA Tour, so when you’re shooting on the PGA Tour, you’re not just shooting them. You shoot us.”
Horschel also lashed out at some of the rationales LIV players have used to explain their defections, including the desire to spend more time with family.
“I won’t see my family for the next five weeks, but my wife and I have decided that,” he added. “Should I cry about it? No. I am living my dream to play golf professionally and support my family financially.
“There is some division in the dressing room and some are more upset than others. I have no ill will, but I am just tired of hearing comments that are not truthful.
“There are some guys who feel like they’re leaving the PGA Tour and if that’s what they want to do, just get out, stay out.
“If you don’t want to be a part of this tour that has given you so many opportunities to make a name for yourself and build financial stability for your family and everything, that’s fine. Just stay away and we’ll make it without you.”
Poulter believes he had no choice but to appeal the £100,000 fine and Scottish Open ban imposed on DP World Tour players who have played in LIV events, with the PGA Tour being members suspended the moment they left Centurion Club.
“I feel pretty good,” Poulter said at the JP McManus Pro-Am. “I feel it was the right decision and I’m looking forward to the week.”
Asked if he was concerned about the reaction of other players, the Ryder Cup star added: “No, to be honest. The locker room are people I play against week in and week out and if they object to that, it’s up to those guys.
“I haven’t had a problem with any player. I’ve seen Rory (McIlroy) this week and chatted, I’ve seen Thomas (Bjorn) and we disagree, but we’re still friends, which is nice.
“If you’ve been golfing with these players for a long time, it’s a strictly business decision, it’s not a personal decision that should get in the way of friendships and I consider pretty much everyone here on Tour a friend.
“I wouldn’t have appealed if I didn’t think it was the right choice. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything other than how I’ve played golf for the past 24 years. I’m not going to sit back if I think it’s a little unfair.”