Horschel unloads on USGA about condition of course
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Billy Horschel stepped to the microphone with an air of indignation Sunday.
Now that his U.S. Open was complete, Horschel let loose with a string of complaints about the condition of Chambers Bay this week, specifically the quality of the putting surfaces.
“We’re looking for something that’s very consistent,” Horschel said after closing with a 3-under-par 67 to finish 4 over. “Every green is very consistent. And this week they’re not.
“The only two greens out here that are really good are 13 and 7. And No. 10 is not too bad. But other than that, it’s just a very disappointing week to be here.”
Horschel’s emotions were on display during Sunday’s final round. After missing a short par putt on the sixth hole, Horschel feigned slamming his putter into the green — although he says he was at least a foot above the putting surface. On the ninth hole, Horschel made zig-zag motions with his hand after his putt hopped back and forth on its way past the hole.
Normally, a 3-underpar round on the final day of the U.S. Open would be cherished.
“I played awesome golf today,” Horschel said. “I played out my tail to shoot 3 under par.
“And I really felt like I should have shot 6, 7 or 8 under, but I wasn’t able to due to the fact that some of the putts I hit just hit some really bad spots on the greens and got off line and didn’t go in.”
Horschel said a caddie was asked if there was any grass on the fourth green. According to Horschel, the caddie replied, “Yeah, two blades, and they’re not even close to each other.”
Horschel added he understands fans are not interested in hearing complaints from players but that the conditions of this week needed to be brought to attention.
“I think a lot of players, and I’m one of them, have lost some respect for the USGA and this championship this year for the greens,” Horschel said. “And not only the greens, one of the biggest issues I have is for the fans.
“Here we are in the Pacific Northwest, where we haven’t been since the late ’90s for the PGA Championship, and the viewing is awful.”