Striving for Perfection

We talk to popular American Billy Horschel about his stellar 2021, his love for West Ham and his future ambitions...

- By Jack Martin. Photographs by Getty Images

Billy Horschel has become something of an adopted Englishman. Ever since high school, the Floridian has held an interest in British history and culture, which is why his victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last year meant so much and why he can’t wait to head back there in September. When Horschel was in college, he came across the football hooligan film Green Street and from there his obsession with West Ham United was born.

Despite having amassed six PGA Tour wins and earned over £20 million in prize money since turning pro in 2009, the 35-year-old has long battled a sense of underachievement. In 2021, however, Horschel ticked off two big aims from his bucket list – winning the DP World Tour’s flagship event and a WGC (the Match Play at Austin Country Club), both of which now have him targeting the Majors...

Billy, we have to start with West Ham. How do you follow all the matches with the time difference?

Haha. It’s not too bad when I’m at home in Florida because it’s only five hours difference. But when I was in Hawaii, there were a couple of matches that were at 4am. I had to get up and watch them. I mean, when I support a team, I back them 100 per cent. Even when I’m on the golf course and playing in tournaments, I check to see how they’re doing.

Are you particularly good friends with any of the West Ham players?

I text Declan Rice a lot. There isn’t a day or two that goes by without me talking to him and Mark Noble. It’s a regular communication between us. They’re great guys. Mark’s my age - mid-30s - so we have a lot in common and it’s cool to talk to them.