Billy Horschel had enough of the rowdy crowd at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He was just trying to do his job.
The 37-year-old is one of the many golfers who are frustrated by the environment in Arizona this weekend. Zach Johnson also melted down on a group of fans, though if the story surrounding his tantrum is true, he brought it upon himself.
Horschel, not so much. His criticism was valid.
Fans can be heard talking at one of Horschel’s playing partners as he lined up his shot and took a swing in a video of the feisty exchange. That is greatly frowned upon. You can chip at a golfer before a shot and after a shot. Not during. Not even at the Waste Management.
Horschel decided to remind the unruly fans of the etiquette. He turned back in their direction and gave them a piece of his mind, reminding them that it is his “f—— job.”
Unfortunately, the person filming the video found Horschel’s reaction funny. There was no shame.
Billy Ho pic.twitter.com/8tjHPUhKc6
— user2123 (@user212369) February 11, 2024
A couple of hecklers shouldn’t be that big of a deal. However, silence in the moments up to, and during, a golf shot is the bare minimum expectation. And it’s not like Horschel isn’t in favor of the event.
He was throwing a football with the fans on No. 16!
The Waste Management Open had to shut down alcohol sales on Saturday because things were getting out of hand. A bartender at the event told his side of the story later that night and honestly, it sounds like the decision to cut everybody off was warranted— even though it seems like the issues were self-inflicted by the company putting on the event.
All Horschel and his fellow competitors ask is for respect. This is more than a fun weekend in Arizona. It is their livelihood. Just don’t chirp a golfer while he is hitting a shot…