Horschel calls LIV Tour players 'hypocrites,' says they are 'lying about some things'

Billy Horschel reacts to his shot to the second green during the first round of the Masters golf tournament on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Gregory Bull/AP)

Billy Horschel has had enough of some of his fellow golfers. And he's not holding back.

Speaking ahead of The Scottish Open in North Berwick, Scotland, east of Edinburgh, the American golfer weighed in on the ongoing dispute between the PGA Tour and the new Saudi-backed LIV Tour, which has lured some players over with larger, guaranteed purses.

"There's a lot of guys that are hypocrites," Horschel said, speaking to the media. "That aren't telling the truth. That are lying about some things. I just can't stand to sit here anymore and be diplomatic about it, (as) I have been in the past."

Horschel, who is currently 14th in FedExCup rankings, took aim at claims made by some LIV Tour converts that their move was aimed at a smaller schedule.

"It's ridiculous to hear some of these comments some of these guys made. You know, 'This allows me to play less tournaments. I played 30, 35 weeks a year.' No one is forcing you to play that many events. The PGA Tour says 15 events minimum."

Horschel said players have a choice, as contractors, to play as little or often as they like, explaining that he is currently on a five-week stretch where he will not see his family. "But that's what my wife and I decided," he said. "When we set our schedule out, it just worked out that way."

Those who want to play the LIV Tour should just get on with it, he said, and not claim that it's about the schedule.

"I'm just tired of these comments," Horschel said. "Go play your LIV Tour, forget about the PGA Tour. You didn't want to support the PGA Tour going forward. Don't tell me you're going to play LIV when they go to 14 events and then go play 15 events on the PGA Tour and play in 29. that's not a smaller schedule. You're not playing less."

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