Multiple PGA Tour winner reveals first impressions of teenage Rory McIlroy

Multiple PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel has revealed what he first thought about Masters champion Rory McIlroy when he met the golfer as a teenager. 

Horschel is currently out of action after undergoing surgery on his right hip in June. 

With his downtime the American, 38, recently jumped on The Thing About Golf podcast to discuss a range of topics. 

McIlroy's name was brought up and, unsurprisingly, Horschel had plenty of good things to say about the grand slam winner. 

Horschel first met McIlroy in 2007 when the pair took part in the Walker Cup.

The tournament, held at Royal County Down, saw Horschel and McIlroy feature in two matches. Horschel defeated McIlroy on day one but the Ulsterman avenged the loss on day two. 

In the end, the US team won the Walker Cup by one point. 

McIlroy, who is now close friends with Horschel, later revealed he 'despised' him during this period. 

Horschel told the podcast: "There was a kid by the name of Rory McIlroy. He has done okay in his career! We knew he was a really good player. 

"He had just finished low amateur at Carnoustie. Unlike a lot of his other teammates, we were not very aware of him in the sense of how good he was because some of his other teammates played in the US. He was only 17 at the time so was not in college.

"He did not come over to America to play that I can remember being in an event with him. He was a couple of years younger. But we knew he was really good. I played against him a couple of times and what he showed was a lot of talent and ability. A lot of belief."

Horschel added: "I remember leaving there and maybe our relationship at that time, because of the way things went on on the golf course, and I'm not afraid to admit I was a little too boisterous as I have said many times, that I wanted to be the Sergio Garcia for the American side. 

"I wanted to be that pest and that cheerleader, that emotional side who was getting everyone going. 

"I probably went overboard a little bit and our relationship at that point in time when we walked away, I thought Rory was great and said if you need anything in America I am happy to help and the next day I read some comments [from him]. I'm like well this is as expected."

Horschel got the better of McIlroy in a playoff at the BMW PGA Championship last September. 

In the immediate aftermath of victory, Horschel revealed he was delighted on a personal note but disappointed to inflict a defeat on McIlroy. 

At the time, McIlroy was only three months removed from a heart-breaking US Open defeat to Bryson DeChambeau.  

"And from there until where we are now, I think the world of him," Horschel said. 

"We have a great friendship. We text and we were 20 years ago to where we are now is completely different people. We have great respect for each other and a great friendship. 

"I think we could never imagine, I don’t think anyone on any side of the American side, could imagine Rory – what we saw there. 

"We knew he had ability but what he has accomplished in the game of golf was historic.

"It wasn't one we didn’t believe could happen, but you just never know how it is going to pan out."