“Stupidest Freaking Thing!” – Billy Horschel SLAMS Padraig Harrington Over The Open Controversy 😳🔥

#TheOpen, #PadraigHarrington, #BillyHorschel, #GolfDrama, #GolfNews, #TheOpenChampionship, #GolfControversy, #RoyalPortrush, #RandA, #LIVGolf, #UKGolf, #GolfPodcast, #TheFriedEgg#

🔥 Golf war of words! Billy Horschel has publicly blasted Padraig Harrington after the Irish legend floated the idea of moving The Open Championship outside the UK, suggesting future venues in Australia, France, and even New Zealand.

🎯 Horschel didn’t hold back on The Fried Egg Podcast, calling the idea: “The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard!”
He insists that The Open belongs in the UK — and playing on overseas links-style courses just wouldn’t feel the same.

🏌️‍♂️ In this video, we break down:

Harrington’s controversial proposal to globalize The Open

Why Horschel is completely against it

The deeper tradition vs modernity debate in golf

What it could mean for the future of the R&A’s decisions

💬 Is it time for The Open to go global or should it stay in its spiritual home? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

📅 The 2025 Open takes place at Royal Portrush, with future venues like Royal Birkdale and St Andrews already lined up. But could we one day see The Open in Australia?

A heated debate has erupted in the golfing world after American star Billy Horchel slammed Poric Harrington’s proposal to take the open championship beyond the UK. Harrington, a two-time open winner, sparked the controversy by suggesting the historic major could one day be held in other countries such as Australia, France, or New Zealand as long as the courses remain true to the tournament’s link style route. Harrington made his comments earlier this year, stating, “If it goes outside of the UK and comes down south to the Republic of Ireland, you’re kind of saying it can go anywhere. I’m not saying now, but who knows? In 100 years, we could be down in the sand belt in Australia. Even 20 years, why not?” He also noted the quality of link style courses in countries like the Netherlands and France, emphasizing that the RA is a global entity managing golf worldwide. The comments came amid growing speculation that the open could be staged in the Republic of Ireland for the first time with Port Manik Golf Club emerging as a possible candidate. But Horchel didn’t mince words when asked for his opinion on the fried egg podcast. His reaction was blunt and scathing. The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard. I’m happy if that goes viral. He continued, you’re going to move the Open Championship from Link’s style courses in the UK to somewhere else. Even if you find a similar course overseas, it won’t capture the same tradition or feel. The Open belongs in the UK. It’s about the history, the atmosphere, and the identity that can’t be replicated. While Horchel did express support for hosting the event in the Republic of Ireland, specifically praising Port Manik, he drew a hard line beyond the British Isles. I’m okay with going to Ireland and playing Port Manik. I love that course, but outside of the UK, I just can’t think of a course that fits what the Open represents. Horschel, who considers himself old school, added, “I always want to see the Open played in the UK. That’s where its roots are, and that’s where it should stay. The Open continues to rotate among iconic British courses. This year, it returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It will be held at Royal Burkedale in 2026 and returned to St. Andrews in 2027. While future venues are yet to be confirmed, the 2028 edition may shift dates to avoid a clash with the Olympic Games. For now, Harrington’s suggestion remains hypothetical, but Horchel’s fierce opposition shows just how passionate players remain about preserving the open story tradition.