Billy Horschel, a professional golfer, shared insights into his experiences playing on the DP World Tour during a press conference in Dubai ahead of the DP World Tour Championship. Being a member of the DP World Tour, Horschel highlighted the value of the tour but also acknowledged that it is not his primary tour. Despite not supporting the tour for the majority of the year, Horschel has been an avid participant in various international events, such as the French Opens, Irish Open, Scottish Open, and BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
This raises an interesting point about American-born top professionals, like Horschel, who choose to play abroad more frequently compared to their peers. The modern PGA Tour has been actively seeking foreign investment and establishing strategic alliances with tours like the DP World Tour. While some players, like Rory McIlroy, advocate for a more globally inclusive tour that resembles F1 Racing, many American professionals prefer to compete closer to home for only a few weeks a year. Horschel supports the idea of playing internationally and believes it has made him a better golfer.
Horschel emphasized that playing on the Europe-based tour has improved his game by exposing him to a wider range of course conditions, climates, and grass types. Additionally, he mentioned that it has helped him become a better person through interacting with different cultures and languages while traveling the world. Horschel’s experiences playing in various countries have also allowed him to engage with fans and give back to the game of golf by promoting the sport globally.
One unique aspect of Horschel’s international experiences is his connection to the West Ham United Football Club, a Premier League soccer team. By sporting the West Ham logo on his tour bag, Horschel has garnered attention from local fans and developed a special relationship with the team. Similarly, other professional golfers like Brooks Koepka and Thorbjorn Olesen have also formed connections with soccer clubs, such as Manchester United, further enhancing their international appeal.
Notably, players like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have also invested in soccer clubs like Leeds United, showcasing their interest in expanding their global presence beyond the golf course. By aligning themselves with popular soccer teams, these golfers can attract a wider fan base and increase their visibility both on and off the course. Overall, Horschel’s insights shed light on the benefits of playing internationally and the potential opportunities for American professionals to explore new markets and audiences in the global golfing community.
