Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel are actually pretty close friends now, but that wasn’t always the case.
McIlroy was one of the most highly regarded young players when he burst onto the amateur golf scene in Northern Ireland more than 20 years ago now.
Horschel was a hugely exciting talent as well and the two players came face-to-face during their amateur careers.
The American is three years older than McIlroy but the two players faced off against each other during the Walker Cup in 2007 at Royal Country Down.
The winners of the four majors in 2026 will be…
Let us know who you are backing to triumph in next year's biggest events
Horschel recently said McIlroy was a sensational talent when he was a teenager, and the man from Northern Ireland has gone on to fulfil his potential in his professional career.
McIlroy is a five-time major champion with 29 PGA Tour wins to his name and he completed the career Grand Slam this year, becoming only the sixth man in history to do it.
Meanwhile, the American has enjoyed a successful career as well, with eight PGA Tour titles to his name.
Back in their amateur days, the Northern Irishman and the American clashed … big time.
The reason why Rory McIlroy ‘absolutely despised’ Billy Horschel
Horschel beat McIlroy in the Saturday singles, before getting the better of the Northern Irishman again in the foursomes on Sunday.
However, McIlroy got his own back in the singles matches on Sunday, defeating Horschel 4&2.
The two players clashed throughout the week at Royal Country Down and the simple fact of the matter is that they really didn’t like each other.
When speaking on the Sub Par Podcast in 2021, McIlroy was asked who he would rather punch out of Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel.
“Billy Horschel, and that’s saying something,” McIlroy said, laughing. “And that is saying something.”
“Ohh, I absolutely despised him,” McIlroy said on Subpar. “We’ve actually become really close since, which is great. Billy in that ’07 — we were all probably obnoxious at the time, but because I was at home as well and he was like pretty rude to the crowd at times too and they are my people. It was like, ‘I’m going to beat his ass.’ But we actually have forged a really good friendship since. Billy’s a good dude. I like him a lot.”
What Billy Horschel said about Rory McIlroy rivalry
Billy Horschel was clearly not keen on McIlroy back in his amateur days.
He explained recently why he believes McIlroy didn’t like him.
“There was a kid by the name of Rory McIlroy. He has done okay in his career! We knew he was a really good player. He had just finished low amateur at Carnoustie. Unlike a lot of his other teammates, we were not very aware of him in the sense of how good he was because some of his other teammates played in the US. He was only 17 at the time so was not in college,” Horschel recalled.
“He did not come over to America to play that I can remember being in an event with him. He was a couple of years younger. But we knew he was really good. I played against him a couple of times and what he showed was a lot of talent and ability. A lot of belief.
“I remember leaving there and maybe our relationship at that time, because of the way things went on on the golf course, and I’m not afraid to admit I was a little too boisterous as I have said many times, that I wanted to be the Sergio Garcia for the American side. I wanted to be that pest and that cheerleader, that emotional side who was getting everyone going. I probably went overboard a little bit and our relationship at that point in time when we walked away, I thought Rory was great and said if you need anything in America I am happy to help and the next day I read some comments. I’m like well this is as expected.
“And from there until where we are now, I think the world of him. We have a great friendship. We text and where we were 20 years ago to where we are now is completely different. We have great respect for each other and a great friendship. I think we could never imagine, I don’t think anyone on any side of the American side, could imagine Rory – what we saw there. We knew he had ability but what he has accomplished in the game of golf was historic.
“It wasn’t one we didn’t believe could happen, but you just never know how it is going to pan out.”
Thankfully, Horschel and McIlroy have grown up and put those issues behind them on into adulthood.
They are now actually very close friends and nobody would have predicted that 18 years ago.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
