London – Billy Horschel, the defending winner, criticized “hypocritical” LIV Golf rebels who are planning to compete in this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Tuesday.
Members of the DP World Tour, including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood, are now eligible to compete in the tournament in London, as their sanctions for participating in the inaugural event of the Saudi-backed breakaway series have been temporarily delayed on appeal.
American Talor Gooch and Mexican Abraham Ancer are in the field because they are ranked in the top 60 in the world, but Horschel says they are being “hypocritical” in their pursuit of ranking points, given they have never shown any interest in the tournament previously.
Even though Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have been mainstays on the European Tour (now known as the DP World Tour), I do not believe they should be here, stated the American golfer.
“The American men who have not supported the Tour should not be here, in all honesty. Abraham Ancer and Talor Gooch have never participated in this tournament and have never supported the DP World Tour. What brings you here?
“You are here for one reason and one reason only: to acquire global ranking points, which you lack (on LIV Golf).
“It is disingenuous due to the fact that some of these men have stated they wish to play less golf. It’s quite hypocritical of you to come over and play outside LIV when your main objective was to spend more time with family and play less golf.
“Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter are not hypocrites since they have never expressed a desire to play less. The hypocrites are the men who have publicly claimed they wish to play less.”
Sixth worldwide Jon Rahm has also voiced his displeasure with the current state of affairs, as tensions escalate between LIV Golf defectors and those who remain loyal to the existing tours.
“Many key European Tour golfers and Ryder Cup participants have accumulated a great deal of European Tour experience,” remarked the Spaniard. “I do not necessarily view their arrival as a bad thing.
“What I don’t get is why those guys who have never showed any interest in the European Tour, have never shown any desire in playing this event, are being given a chance just so they can earn world ranking points and perhaps qualify for majors next year.”
But Rahm is convinced that a solution can be found to the Ryder Cup selection conundrum facing European captain Luke Donald, as qualifying for next year’s competition in Rome begins on Thursday at Wentworth.
Westwood, Poulter, and Garcia are currently eligible to qualify for the Ryder Cup team, pending the outcome of a February hearing.
“There is only one problem in life for which there is no solution, and that is death. That is all. Everything else has an answer “said Rahm.
“If the European Tour and our team both want them to participate, I believe a solution can be found. If all parties are not satisfied with the outcome, I do not know why.”
AFP
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