Billy Horschel recently had one of the best rounds of his career at an Open Championship, with tough conditions that he thrived in. He enjoys tough conditions as it allows him to be creative and strategic with his shots. Starting the round, he didn’t expect the difficulty to escalate until they reached the back nine where the wind picked up, making it a real challenge to navigate the course. Throughout the round, his short game saves, especially at the 13th hole, were particularly satisfying to him. When comparing the conditions to a previous challenging round at the same course in 2016, he felt that this year was not as tough.
At 37 years old, Horschel finds himself in a new position as the leader heading into the final round of a major tournament. He has been in similar positions before but believes that this is different due to the magnitude of an Open Championship. Horschel expressed his excitement at finally being in this position and is looking forward to the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of winning such a prestigious tournament. He has been manifesting success in his mind every night before falling asleep, envisioning himself lifting the trophy on the 18th hole.
Playing alongside Justin Rose, another player who excels in challenging conditions, has made the experience more enjoyable for Horschel. He admires Rose’s work ethic and mentality, and having such a competitor by his side boosts his confidence on the course. Despite feeling content with his career and the success he has achieved so far, Horschel acknowledges that winning a major tournament like the Open Championship would significantly impact his legacy. He continues to work hard towards achieving this goal while being at peace with the possibility that it may not happen.
Horschel has adopted a different approach to majors in recent years, focusing on the fact that he does not have to be perfect to succeed. This mindset shift has led to improved results in major championships, and he is confident in his ability to compete at the highest level. He has also found peace in accepting that a major title may not be in the cards for him, looking up to other players with impressive careers who have not won a major themselves. Despite this acceptance, Horschel remains determined to do everything in his power to change that narrative.
As he prepares for the final round sleeping on a lead, Horschel plans to unwind by watching darts on TV and spending time with his team. Embracing the English culture when it comes to sports, he enjoys following cricket and darts along with other popular English pastimes. Horschel is ready to tackle the challenges of the final round with confidence and determination, knowing that he has put in the work to put himself in contention for a major victory.
