‘Our Product is Better’: Annoyed With LIV Golf-PGA Tour Bickering, Billy Horschel Makes an Honest Confession

Billy Horschel has had enough of the bickering between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. As the merger between the two entities remains in the back seat, the tension between the two has risen exponentially, more so among the fans. Moreover, opinions of the golfers on whether the deal should come to completion or not have started a bitter war between the pros.

Just like between Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. Yet, the 8-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel has understood all the sides and has given his two cents on whether the deal would benefit golf. And if it does come to fruition, what will it mean for the PGA Tour?

Billy Horschel gives his stance on the PIF-PGA Tour deal

Billy Horschel was the latest guest on the Fore Play podcast after his victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship. The 37-year-old articulated about winning against Wesley Bryan and the current state of golf. He principally talked about the polarizing opinions on LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour if the merger comes to fruition.

Billy Horschel stated that, at first, he struggled to form an opinion. However, now, he sides more with Rory McIlroy, who is open to welcoming the LIV defectors and is up for the deal. Talking about the issue and how the return of LIV golfers will eventually benefit the PGA Tour, Horschel added, “That’s going to instantaneously increase the value or at least the perception of the value of the PGA Tour.” 

However, the 37-year-old didn’t disregard the stance of Jordan Spieth, who didn’t see the need to have a deal with PIF. The Grant native said he understood Spieth and relayed that he had stated before that two different leagues would uplift the scene in golf. Recounting the first time he entertained the idea, Horschel explained, “Competition, you know, is a great thing,” and it will make both leagues improve itself. But in the end, Horschel clarified, “I believe that the PGA Tour product will always win out. I believe our product is better than anything that can come forth.”

Further, Billy Horschel divulged the perspective where it has been bitter from the sides of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He explained that even though players have stopped, the supporters of the league are still bitter with each other. Per the 8-time PGA Tour winner, it will hamper the golf scenario. He asked the fans, “This all needs to stop because that’s not beneficial to the game of golf and the growth of the game of golf.” 

Maybe the merger between the PGA Tour and PIF will stop the bickering between the fanbase of the two rebel leagues. But how far has it come from the first time it was announced?

Where is the PIF-PGA Tour merger going? 

Soon, it will mark a year since Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced the $3 billion merger between the PGA Tour and PIF, the Saudi Arabian Fund behind the existence of LIV Golf. The framework was supposed to be finalized by December 31st, and Monahan hoped something or the other would be out.

However, it got delayed and then was stated to be finalized before the 88th Masters in early April. None of it has become true. Instead, the PGA Tour signed a different deal with SSG for $3 billion. Under this deal, a new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprise has been formed. The players of the Tour will be given equity shares to hold.

Will the PGA Tour and PIF ever sign the deal? So far, the possibilities have been bleak. But you never know, just like the shocker the merger announcement was, the finalization may become another.