Why does Billy Horschel support West Ham United Football Club?

Billy Horschel is an avid West Ham United F.C. fan but the American's reason for supporting them is not because they are nicknamed the Irons. 

Horschel, 37,  has been hooked on the Hammers ever since he sat down to watch the film Green Street.

The eight-time PGA Tour winner and 2014 FedEx Cup champion admitted he first got to watch Green Street when he was at the University of Florida. 

For those none the wiser, Green Street is a famous football film that was released in 2005. 

Or soccer as you Americans shamefully call it.

Green Street follows a rivalry between West Ham United and Millwall football fans.

It's a great film if you've not seen it. 

Why does Billy Horschel support West Ham United?

"During my sophomore year of college, I moved into a new apartment and the cable wasn't going to be hooked for a couple of days, so we went to 'Best Buy' and bought a couple of DVDs, and one of those DVDs was Green Street," Horschel said as to how he started supporting West Ham.

"I loved the movie, I loved Charlie Hunnam as an actor and obviously the film is about the firms at Millwall and West Ham, from there I started following them. 

"Since about 10-12 years ago I've been paying really close attention to them since NBC Sports starting showing Premier League games.

"I'm always watching their matches and any Premier League games actually, but I follow them [West Ham] very closely and I'm aware of how they're doing, the transfer window and just a die hard supporter like I am for my Florida Gators."

Billy Horschel uses a West Ham United Golf Bag

Horschel is so in love with the Hammers that he even sports an official West Ham United Football Club golf bag during DP World Tour events and at The Open. 

"It always goes down well," Horschel said of his West Ham bag in a recent interview with talkSPORT. 

"Whenever I come here [to the UK] the West Ham bag comes out. I love to hear, 'Up the Hammers' and 'Come on you Irons'. 

"I've been very fortunate that other supporters of other clubs have been gracious enough to be so nice to me compared to maybe how they would be to a fellow English person supporting West Ham."

Related: 

• Billy Horschel gives verdict after flying with easyJet for first time to France
• Billy Horschel on PGA Tour pros moving to LIV Golf: 'I still hold a few grudges, I can't lie...'

Horschel put the West Ham United golf bag he used during the 152nd Open up for auction.

He finished T2 at Royal Troon. 

The bag also featured a number of signatures from a host of West Ham United players. 

The bidding started at $5,000 and it is said to have been sold for more than $30,000. 

All funds went towards the Horschel Family Foundation, a charitable organisation founded by Billy and his wife Brittany Horschel. 

Brittany is also an avid West Ham fan. 

The Horschel Family Foundation strives to provide opportunities for healing and camaraderie, while also shining a light on mental health and addiction awareness nationally. 

Horschel also shares a very close bond with now former West Ham players Declan Rice and Mark Noble.

Both Rice and Noble followed Horschel's every move from behind the ropes when he won the first of his two BMW PGA titles at Wentworth in 2021.

Horschel added a second BMW PGA title on the DP World Tour last month. 

Horschel defeated Rory McIlroy with an eagle on the second extra hole. 

He collected a whopping $1.53m first prize. 

West Ham United's social media team sent Horschel a congratulatory post on their Instagram page, see below. 

West Ham United F.C. are currently managed by Julen Lopetegui. 

After seven games in the 2024/25 Premier League season, West Ham lie in 12th place. 

West Ham United F.C. played at the Boleyn Ground in nearby Upton Park between 1904 and 2016.

They then moved into their new ground, the London Stadium, which is located south of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The London Stadium was built for the London Olympic Games in 2012. 

Horschel tries to get to a number of West Ham games when he's over in the UK, but he most typically tunes in to watch them from his home in Florida, United States. 

West Ham are nicknamed both the Irons and the Hammers after their association with the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, whose workers formed Thames Ironwork F.C.

GolfMagic recently caught up with Horschel on the range at the Dunhill Links at St Andrews.

Check out this cool slo-mo video we filmed with Horschel...