West Ham TV Exclusive - Golfer Billy Horschel on The Open, Mark Noble and his love for the Irons

 

West Ham TV got on course for The Open Championship by speaking to golfer and Hammers fan Billy Horschel.

The American, who is ranked No25 in the world after an impressive 2021 season to date, capped by victory at the WGC Match Play in Texas in March, is hoping to win his first major championship at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, this weekend.

The 34-year-old has struck up a friendship with keen golfer Mark Noble in recent months and was joined by the West Ham captain for his practice round on Wednesday.

One of two Irons in the field alongside Italian 2018 Open champion and Ryder Cup winner Francesco Molinari, Floridian Horschel will pull his clubs from a Claret and Blue golf bag adorned with the crest of his favourite football team.

He tees off his first round at 12.53pm on Thursday, playing alongside fellow American Tony Finau and Canadian Adam Hadwin. The Open is being broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports, with nightly highlights on BBC Two.

Horschel told West Ham TV he is hoping his eye-catching new kit and the support of his fellow Irons will help him improve on his career-best finish of 30th at The Open at St Andrews back in 2015.