Billy Horschel, a supporter of West Ham United, has a chance to win a major golf championship this weekend at The Open Championship in Scotland.
The American advanced into the top five at Royal Troon, where the victor will be awarded the Claret Jug, with an outstanding round of 68 on Friday, three under par! Horschel began play at 7:41 a.m., carrying his clubs in a golf bag emblazoned with the West Ham logo in blue and claret.
After opening round 72, he moved under par after birdying his first two holes, but a bogey at the third put him back level.
Unfazed, the Floridian birdied the par three eighth hole after parring the following four. His incredible tee shot came within six feet of the cup.
Billy Horschel’s round of 68, which included a birdie at the par five 16th hole, highlighted a consistent back nine.
Horschel and fellow countryman and The Masters champion Scottie Scheffler shot 68 and tied for fourth on two under par.
Shane Lowry of Ireland was leading the way at the time of writing with a score of seven under par, but Billy Horschel is definitely in the running, if not better than his previous Open Championship best of tied-21st place at St Andrews in 2022, given that links golf on Scotland’s west coast is prone to erratic weather and playing conditions.
After Friday’s round, the 37-year-old addressed the media and thanked the West Ham fans who had clapped him around the Troon 18-hole course.
Listen, every time I go to visit this place, I attempt to pull out the West Ham bag and yell, “Up the Hammers” and “Come on you Irons,” Horschel informed the press.
“I’ve been really lucky that other fans of different teams have been kind enough to treat me, in contrast to perhaps how they might treat a fellow Englishman who is a West Ham supporter!”
Next week, Billy Horschel’s Hammers will travel to his native Florida as part of a two-match Sunshine State Tour led by new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
This will include trips to Jacksonville and Tampa as well as Stateside Cup matches between Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers, two Premier League rivals.
Despite his golfing commitments that may prevent him from being present in person, the former student-athlete from the University of Florida is eager to watch what Lopetegui can accomplish.
He said, “I believe Julen will do a good job.” “As I listen, I get aroused. David Moyes was fantastic.
He moved the club around, so I believe it was time to hand things off, and I have no doubt Julen will do a fantastic job. At Troon on Saturday, Horschel’s group will probably be the last to begin their third round; thus, make sure to check theopen.com for his tee time!