Billy Horschel experienced a rough moment on the par-3 15th hole when he not only dropped a shot but also sent his next ball into the water.
Clearly not in the mood for the crowd’s jeers, Horschel fired back at some fans who were removed from the grandstand by officials during the Cognizant Classic in Palm Springs Gardens, Florida.
Earlier in the week, Horschel had mentioned that the golf course was “overseeded,” and it seems that some of the heckling stemmed from that remark.
As he was getting a new ball from his bag, he turned around, visibly irritated, and asked, “Who said that? You guys just want to feel good about yourself with comments like that, right?”
Post-round, he told reporters about an incident earlier that week where a spectator had accused him of criticizing the golf course.
“Everyone’s repeating, ‘Overseed, overseed,’” Horschel explained, noting that he had heard the term a few times that day, especially since he had just hit a poor shot.
He clarified that his comments weren’t directed at anyone in particular but were aimed more at hopefuls trying to make it on the PGA Tour, emphasizing that course setups are beyond the players’ control.
Horschel had discussed the recent change to ryegrass overseeding at the venue, which is a shift from the usual Bermuda grass.
After hitting a triple-bogey six on the 15th, he expressed his admiration for the course, stating, “If I didn’t like this golf course, I wouldn’t come here every year to play.”
He acknowledged the challenges posed by the weather, particularly in windy conditions over the last couple of days, and stressed that he wanted to communicate the situation accurately. He recounted how he walked back to the drop area and, despite the incident, focused on his game.
In his remarks about fan interactions, Horschel noted he never requested any fan be removed from the tournament himself, even when tournament officials acted on their own to eject someone who was apparently persistent in their provocation.
“Everyone has a right to express themselves,” he said. “But I think there should be a level of respect, understanding that we’re here to do a job.”
After facing challenges on the 17th and 18th holes as well, he concluded the round at even par despite going 5 over on his last four holes. He made it clear that he wouldn’t let fans influence his performance, asserting, “I have enough influence on myself.”
