Frustrated Horschel criticizes greens, USGA after bumpy final round
Billy Horschel did not enjoy his final round at the U.S. Open.
The golfer levied critical comments at the course and the USGA after laboring through a Sunday round of bumpy greens and missed putts.
In a post-round interview with FOX Sports' Holly Sonders, Horschel says he "lost a little bit of respect for the USGA this week" because of the greens at Chambers Bay, which he says are among "the worst I've ever putted on."
The greens at the site of the U.S. Open are supposed to be fine fescue, but a different brand of grass, poa annua, has crept in, resulting in bumpiness that has irked players all week.
Horschel was so upset after missing a putt on the sixth Sunday that he slammed the heel of his putter into the green, leaving a bit of a dent.
After his round, he spoke his mind.
"I'm not going to hold my tongue on this," he said. "This is very disappointing to hold a championship-caliber tournament on greens like this."
USGA executive director Mike Davis, who was instrumental in the design of the course, said Saturday the putting surfaces are "better than they look."
He says the mixture of fine fescue and poa annua grasses leave them looking splotchy, and that the poa annua tends to get bumpy later in the day.
Still, Davis insists, "a lot of it is your eye telling you it doesn't look like it's going to be smooth."
Oh, by the way, Horschel still shot 3-under 67 in his final round to finish at 4-over for the tournament.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
