LIV Golf star gives honest verdicts on Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood after securing Open spot

Sam Horsfield couldn't stop singing the praises of his LIV Golf teammates Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, crediting them for his recent success after he clinched a spot at The Open through Final Qualifying.

Braving the challenging conditions on the Wirral peninsula, Horsfield emerged as one of four triumphant players at West Lancashire, England, securing his ticket to Royal Troon later this month with a stellar five-under-par across two rounds.

While Horsfield was joined by fellow LIV Golfers Sergio Garcia, Carlos Ortiz, and Kieran Vincent in the quest for a place at the year's last major, he was the lone star from the rebel tour to make the cut.

Set to wave the flag for Majesticks GC at the prestigious event, Horsfield will be without his teammates and co-captains Westwood and Poulter, who didn't qualify for this year's showdown in Ayrshire. The European squad, which also boasts Henrik Stenson, hasn't quite hit their stride in 2024, languishing at 11th place among 13 teams in the LIV rankings.

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Yet, despite the team's struggles, Horsfield lavished praise on the veteran duo for their off-the-green guidance since his move to the Saudi-backed series. Speaking to the Mirror at West Lancashire, Horsfield shared, "[Westwood and Poulter have massively [helped], and not just on golf course stuff.

"Westy over the years has been known as one of the best drivers of a golf ball to every play. Then obviously Ian has an unbelievable short game, one of the best I have ever seen.

" So I am always picking his brain about how to hit certain chips from different lies, hitting pitching wedges, not just the typical American lob wedge you know, play different shots.

"I think he learned some of his stuff from Seve [Ballesteros] so it has sort of made its way down. They are also obviously great company, a great group of guys."

Horsfield, who's had a rocky time since joining LIV Golf, often sidelined with injuries throughout 2023, seems to be finding his groove at just the right moment. After snagging second place at LIV Nashville last week, he's now punched his ticket back to the majors.

With a trip to Troon on the horizon, nestled amidst an exhilarating European tour for the renegade league, which includes stops at Valderrama and JCB Country Club around The Open, Horsfield can barely contain his enthusiasm. "I am looking forward to it," he said, brimming with anticipation.

"I've turned my game around in the last few weeks, made a few changes. I feel like my brain is the right place with everything, and then obviously that leads to good golf. It is going to be a great few weeks, the major in the middle of it, it is going to be epic."