Billy Horschel, the most misunderstood professional golfer?

NEW ORLEANS Billy Horschel is full of Christmas energy all year round.

Matt Every’s description of his former Florida Gator teammates is spot-on.

Horschel is not the only one who gets on people’s nerves with his over-caffeinated Energizer bunny routine. Conor Moore (the Golf Channel impressionist) once asked Horschel if, after giving media interviews, he didn’t think, “Why was I honest?”

Moore asked, “Do you sit back and wonder ‘Why did I say that’?” Horschel laughed and said, with comic timing: “Every single f___ing day.”

Horschel asked rhetorically a reporter a few days ago, “Why don’t I just tell you I won’t answer this?” It’s not my nature. I can’t. When someone asks a question, it’s my duty to answer honestly. Sometimes I will not because I am not well-informed on a topic or I do want to avoid misspeaking. “I’ve always had the strongest opinions.”

No one likes a know-it-all, but Horschel, 36, attributes his ability to engage not to his father, Billy Sr. a soft-spoken, former foreman of a local construction firm, but rather to his mother, Kathy, with her fire in the belly.

Horschel was almost as proud when he described how his mother went back to school at the age of 50, earning her degree and working full-time.

Horschel has been a combative person since at least his seventh grade history class, when he couldn’t help but debate one of his classmates.

Horschel remembered, “I had a point to make and another student also made one. We went back and forth 10 minutes before I won the argument.” “My teacher asked me, “Have you ever thought of becoming a lawyer?” Not because I enjoy arguing but because I like to show people that they are wrong. It’s part of my DNA. It’s in my DNA. I will do anything if someone tells me I can’t. “If they believe their argument is right, I’m going to show them wrong.”

Horschel, the golfer most misunderstood in professional?

Todd Anderson, Todd’s long-time swing instructor, said: “That is a fantastic question.” If people knew him as I do, they’d have a completely different opinion of him. Billy will tell you exactly what he believes. I think that he is misunderstood. “He doesn’t always say what you want, which I respect. But some people don’t like that.”

His bravado and temper tantrums on the course, or his bluntness about any topic, are not liked by some. The Shotgun start podcast has nicknamed him Baton Boy because of the number times his clubs fly into the air and The Town Crier.

It’s an outdated reputation for a boy who came from a blue-collar background and received a $400 book scholarship to Florida. He then outworked everyone else in the game, and became a top-20 golfer in the world. He’s also won at Jack’s Place a World Golf Championship and playoff events.

He is the kind of guy who treats his college coach with a first class trip to the Open Championship in St. Andrews, and volunteers as an assistant coach at his alma matter. The son that bought his parents’ home and his brothers cars with the FedEx Cup money is the kind of guy who gives back to his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach. He has lent his name both to an AJGA Tour and APGA Tour, but this is just the tip of his involvement. Horschel has been one of the most vocal supporters in promoting golf for minorities.

Ken Bentley, founder of the APGA Tour said, “Normally when celebrities attend tournaments or other events, they just show up and then leave.” The APGA Tour’s mission is to increase diversity in the sport of golf by preparing Blacks and minorities to pursue careers in the sport. “After the first round of our first tournament Billy played for us, he was playing putting games on the green with the other guys for money. They played on the green till dark. Billy told each player that he would do everything he could to help them reach the next level. He gave his email and phone number to every player. When he told the guys that, he showed the same determination and commitment as when he is trying to win a competition. “The guys believe Billy is on their side.”

Horschel was the first to congratulate Willie Mack III on his Korn Ferry Tour Card in December. Mack is a two-time winner at Horschel’s event. Mack stated that Billy had done more than anyone else in professional golf to help him.

Why is Horschel – who had more career victories than Rickie Finau and Tony Finau put together – a target for the critics, and not loved in the same way?

Anderson thought Horschel was borderline arrogant when he first came to the Tour from Florida. Horschel had overstepped his boundaries, and made claims that he shouldn’t have shared with others about his plans to dominate golf.

Anderson remembered. You don’t have credibility as a professional if you make such statements.

Horschel has toned down the debates that he could not resist, with Anderson serving as a mentor.

Anderson stated, “He would get into Twitter arguments,” and I finally told him, “Why do you reply to these people on Twitter?” You won’t solve anything. They’re only trying to wind up, and they are just trying get you in a situation where they have you in their palm, and you keep going, going, going. Ignore them and don’t respond to them. It’s just not worth it. You won’t gain anything by doing it.

Horschel, like Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm before him, has been dubbed a fiery golfer who wears his feelings on his sleeves. Every recounted on his podcast, “Straight Down the Middleish,” how he wanted Horschel to lose blackjack in college when they visited a casino. He said, “Just to see how you would react.”

Horschel acknowledges that he has smashed his fists against walls in more than one casino. He admits that his behavior on the golf course has at times made him feel embarrassed. But these days are rare.

It’s hard as a footballer to criticize a team or drop an ‘F-bomb’ if it was something you did early in your career. If you have matured, you are better at dealing with the situation. Let’s face it, everyone is criticizing clubs. Everyone is dropping the “F bomb,” but it seems that certain guys are picked on and held to a higher standard for it, Anderson said. If Tiger or someone like that slams the club, then it’s okay. Billy does it, and it’s breaking news.”

Horschel, who has been working with Dr. Bhrett Mccabe to improve his mental game, is now a reliable closer. He won his seventh Tour title in the Memorial tournament held in June.

McCabe explained, “We are trying to sort them out.” There are times when he is excited, and other times he is fired up. That’s cool. You can execute your game plan no matter how you feel. You can feel stressed, frustrated or in-between swing feelings, but you still can have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with every shot. This should not change depending on how we feel. You are so cluttered that you can’t get to the point. The game of Golf is built on probabilities and games of intent. It’s hard because of that. “Any lack of intent will show in your work.”

Horschel still has a temper flare up on occasion on the golf course. His higher profile as a Tour-winning winner means he is often caught on camera with less than flattering moments. Horschel’s fall on his butt during the Masters two year ago was a big hit with social media. He made a poor shot on No. Then he followed up with a terrible chip. He hit his club three times into his bag. Horschel’s management team advised him to apologize to the club, but he chose to tweet an apology instead.

He said, “I didn’t believe it was necessary.” “I thought that it would bring unnecessary attention to a problem that I did not think needed to addressed.”

Horschel, who was in the spotlight during the third round of the Masters last year, pulled-hooked the second shot he hit into Rae’s Creek on the 11 ^th and threw the club to the floor. Again, social media was quick to react. Mark Schlabach, an ESPN reporter, wrote a piece with the headline “Frustrated Billy Horschel Loses His Cool and Tosses Club During Third-Round Play at the Masters”.

Horschel pulled away the reporter and complained about the headline.

He said: “I understand that writers do not write headlines to their stories, but that was absurd.” “When I went to Yahoo News the following three days, my photo was there along with some other crap and Instagram comments.

Horschel was given a full week to stew, and a seemingly innocent question during a pre-tournament media conference about his fiery persona on the course – Do you feel you are obliged to temper your behavior when you have a partner? led to a massive rant.

Horschel said, “It’s just too hot in me and I can’t stand to not be able to perform at the level I expect from myself every day.” It boils over at times, and it’s inevitable.

Horschel continued: “I don’t really care if it sounds bad or blunt. I don’t even give a damn if it doesn’t work for you. I have cared about my career for the past 13 years to please all those who watch me. I cannot do more. I’ve done all I can. “I don’t really care if you don’t like or dislike me anymore.

Sam Burns, Burns’ partner in New Orleans, chimed in: “If I see him getting too hot, then I will go hug him and calm him down for a bit.” Burns smiled.

Horschel’s Google searches still show the hothead storyline, but his press conference was a major flashpoint.

The question was asked. “I answered the question and took it to a higher level. I’ve done it many times before. “I just wanted to get something out,” he replied. “That little rant, or whatever you call it, was just me saying that I can’t satisfy everyone anymore. I love who I am, and I haven’t altered a bit since I was young. “I’ve become smarter and have learned to do things more efficiently, but I still am me and I will enjoy my life without worrying about what others think or say about me.”

Include the fact that you misunderstand him?

He said, “It annoyed me for a while that I was given that label but I no longer mind it.” “Not everyone will understand who you are. I have come a long ways and I’ve met people who thought of me in one way. After spending some time with them, they changed their opinions without my trying to do so. I’m OK being misunderstood. “I’m fine with it.”

Do not be misled.