British Open 2024: Here’s why Billy Horschel doesn’t care if people accuse him of wearing his hat backwards

TROON, Scotland — Billy Horschel knows the rain at Royal Troon all too well.

The eight-time PGA Tour winner’s last appearance on the Scottish course was at the British Open, and it was a swift and painful one. After shooting a first-round 67 to finish the day in fourth place, Horschel played through rain and wind in the second round, scoring an 87 and missing a ____ shot.
That makes his performance early Saturday morning in the third round of the 2024 British Open even more impressive.

Horschel made four birdies on the front nine to finish at 6 under par for the tournament and a share of the lead. “I’m a much better player than I was in 2016,” Horschel said Friday with some foreshadowing, “so hopefully if I was in those conditions back then, I would have handled it a lot better than I did then.” ”

During that round eight years ago, the rain was so heavy that Horschel turned his hat upside down to keep water from running off the bill of his cap into his eyes.

Horschel remembered this because he also remembered that fans on social media criticized the action as disrespectful. “I remember flipping my hat upside down on the 14th hole because the rain was so hard,” he said. “Then I got criticized on social media for flipping my hat upside down at the British Open.”

Horschel decided the reward was worth it and was seen doing the same thing again on Saturday. He was even able to justify his actions by pointing out that winners of 15 major tournaments have sometimes done similar things. “If I remember correctly, I think I’ve seen Tiger do it a few times.”

Good enough for Tiger, and good enough for Billy.