Grant Horvat, the American golf content creator and former collegiate golfer, has addressed growing criticism from the golf community after his recent round with DJ Khaled sparked claims that he intentionally hit shots into the water. 

Horvat, who played for Palm Beach Atlantic University from 2017 to 2021 and now runs a successful YouTube channel with more than 1.5 million subscribers, clarified that the mistakes seen in the video were genuine.

The match in question appeared on Horvat’s YouTube channel, where he and DJ Khaled played an 18 hole round. The final stretch of the round, particularly the par five, generated discussion among viewers. Many questioned the authenticity of Horvat’s shots after he hit multiple balls into the water during a tense closing sequence.

Horvat responded on X, writing, "Wanted to clarify something. In my recent video with DJ Khaled I see a lot of comments saying I hit it in the water on purpose a few times. Every time I film a video I’m trying my hardest to win. I wish my game was to the level that I was hitting it in the water on purpose."

The video shows both players entering the last hole with a one shot difference. Khaled held the advantage and repeatedly reminded Horvat of the situation. The exchange remained friendly but competitive as they discussed the stakes of the final hole.

Khaled said, “This is the big one. This is what you’re good at. I love a par five.” The mood shifted when Horvat’s drive and subsequent long approach both found the water. Khaled reacted immediately, saying, “Oh my gosh. No. In the water. In the water. You’re in the water. I don’t want that for you but you’re in the water.”

Horvat attempted a long carry over the lake with his third shot and believed he had struck the ball well. He said, “I got to really hit this thing. That’s in the water. Oh my gosh. That’s in the water.” Khaled reassured him, telling him the shot was close. “Yo Grant, it was so close. A hair. But it went in the water.”

Both players continued the hole under pressure. Horvat made an important recovery shot after his drop and reached the green with his fifth. Khaled acknowledged the effort, saying, “Beautiful fifth shot.”

The final putts added more difficulty as the pin placement created trouble for both. After they finished the hole with matching eights, Khaled said, “We tied the hole. We tied this hole with an eight.” Horvat added, “I beat you by one shot.”

The back and forth recorded in the video prompted viewers to question whether Horvat intentionally created the mistakes to increase entertainment value.

His statement makes it clear that he approached the round with competitive intent. His explanation addresses the criticism directly and clarifies that the water shots were not planned.

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Written by

Oajaswini Prabhu

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu