BMW PGA Championship: Billy Horschel, the reigning BMW PGA winner, was criticised for the “hypocritical” participation of LIV Golf members at Wentworth. Talor Gooch responded by attacking Horschel.
The top event on the DP World Tour this week features 17 LIV players, including Gooch and Abraham Ancer. The duo qualified by ranking among the top 60 in the world.
Gooch is one of the LIV golf players making their BMW PGA debuts, but other DP World Tour players are also eligible after their ban for competing in the inaugural Saudi-sponsored tournament was temporarily lifted on appeal.
During his pre-tournament news conference, Billy Horschel specifically criticised Gooch and Ancer as well as Jason Kokrak, who has since withdrawn, calling them “hypocrites” for participating in an event they had previously expressed little interest in competing in.
“I honestly don’t think that the American guys who haven’t supported the Tour should be here,” Horschel said. “Abraham Ancer, Talor Gooch… you’ve never played this tournament, you’ve never supported the DP World Tour. Why are you here?
“You are here for one reason only and that’s to try to get world ranking points because you don’t have it (on LIV Golf). It’s hypocritical to come over here and play outside LIV when your big thing was to spend more time with family and want to play less golf.”
Horschel’s participation in just six DP World Tour events that weren’t majors, World Golf Championship events, or events co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour was questioned in response by Gooch.
Billy's DP pro career 2013-today.
64 events. 58 major/WGC/2022
Scottish(pga tour event). 6 pure DP
events in total(I wonder how many he
got $ to play)and his first non maior/
WGC P appearance 2019 BMW(won
fedex in 2014). He supports whats
best for his career. Like all of us do 😁 https://t.co/vJlrZi9y9u— Talor Gooch (@TalorGooch) September 6, 2022
“I wonder how many [DP World Tour events] he got $ to play,” Gooch tweeted. “He supports what’s best for his career. Like all of us do.”
Gooch, who has only competed in the US Open and The Open since LIV Golf in June, has fallen to number 46 in the global rankings. Jon Rahm is one of the top golfers who is annoyed by the players he believes are solely at Wentworth to gain world ranking points.
“What I don’t understand is some players that have never shown any interest in European Tour, have never shown any interest in playing this event, being given an opportunity just because they can get world ranking points, and hopefully make majors next year,” Rahm said.
“They don’t know the history of this event. They are only here because they are trying to get world ranking points and trying to finish in the top 50, and that’s clear as day.”
World ranking points and first time I’ve earned a spot into this event. Super excited to play. Name a top 50 player in history who hasn't chased world ranking points… https://t.co/QbKMVCKpxH
— Talor Gooch (@TalorGooch) September 7, 2022
In response to Rahm’s claims about playing just to earn world ranking points, Gooch replied: “World ranking points and the first time I’ve earned a spot into this event. Super excited to play.
