The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan

Billy Horschel finished second at Royal Troon in The Open. (Image: Getty)

The Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel has hit back at claims he’s ‘fake and inauthentic’ following his best-ever major finish.

Horschel finished two shots behind eventual winner Xander Schauffele at Royal Troon, with the American earning plaudits from across the golfing world for his performance on a blustery weekend in western Scotland.

The iconic course took several major scalps during the first two rounds, including Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau and the under-pressure Rory McIlroy, who all missed the cut.

But Horschel battled hard and had topped the leaderboard heading into the final round, but ultimately fell short of picking up his maiden major victory.

function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)}) Related articles Tiger Woods' injuries on show for first time after near-death car crash McIlroy and Scheffler on red alert after 10-word Schauffele statement

It wasn’t good enough for some though, with one disgruntled fan taking to social media to bemoan Horschel’s runner-up finish.

Posting on X, @ProGolfCritic said: "I think he's fake & inauthentic and outside of owning that, nothing will make me like him."

Horschel was understandably unimpressed, with the world No.33 replying: "I haven't replied to any one of your tweets about me over the past year because I felt no need to. But I am now.

“Feel free to ask around about me. One thing I am willing to bet you won't hear is that I'm fake or not authentic."

Billy Horschel topped the leaderboard heading into the final day at Royal Troon. (Image: Getty)

After coming so close to lifting the Claret Jug, the 37-year-old also issued a thank-you to his fans on social media.

In a one-and-a-half-minute clip posted to X, the golfer - sporting a West Ham United cap - said: “Hope everyone is having a great Monday, obviously a long flight from Scotland.

“Had a lot of time to think about yesterday [the final round], to read all of the support I received on social media, respond to a lot of those messages, respond to a lot of personal messages I got."

Related articles Justin Rose's class shines through after reaction to The Open heartache Xander Schauffele called out for 'abusing' golf rule in wake of The Open win SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

He continued: “But thank you for all your support, it truly means a lot to me. It was a fun week, it was nearly a special week, but Xander played great golf… and to see him finally get his first major at the PGA [Championship] and then get another on two majors later is impressive.

“But for me, disappointed. I think it hit me on the plane how close I was to winning a major. The opportunity I had.

“We get back on the horse… so next time we’re in an opportunity to win a major, hopefully, we can capitalise on it and be the one holding the trophy at the end."

Related articles Justin Rose's class shines through after reaction to The Open heartache Xander Schauffele in stitches as he shares caddie's reaction before The Open win

The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan

The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan

The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan

The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan

The Open runner-up Billy Horschel scolds 'fake' accusation made by fan