Billy Horschel is making his return to professional golf at the BMW PGA Championship this week.
Horschel has missed the last five months with a hip injury, which derailed his opportunity to make the USA Ryder Cup team.
Speaking about the upcoming event at Bethpage Black, the American golfer pointed out a key difference between the two teams.
A recent conversation with Shane Lowry has only strengthened his belief that the Europeans do something significantly better at the Ryder Cup.
Billy Horschel thinks the Europeans have more team spirit at the Ryder Cup
Horschel has never participated in the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup, but he is still closer to the players than most.
He believes that the Europeans have more team spirit than the Americans, which often allows them to overcome an ability deficit.
Horschel is also now aware of the Europeans’ planned trip to Bethpage Black next week after talking to Shane Lowry.
“Yeah, I think the European team has always been a tighter-knit team than the American team,” Horschel said before the BMW PGA Championship.
“The Americans, from my perspective, I have not been in the team room, I think the press gives them a little bit of a harder time because they are not as close. They are close, but it’s a completely different level on the European side.
“Talking to Shane Lowry, he told me they were flying over there to spend the week in New York, do a little bit of a practise session, hang out, and play some golf. Listen, that goes a long way.
“I think that’s an under-valued thing, when the team feels very close and very connected and everyone feels like they are all together for one goal. All the egos are left at the door, as I know the European team have talked about before.
“Yeah, it’s a benefit to be with your teammates and get ready to go into battle into what is going to be a very hostile environment and try and come together and sort of prepare and talk about what you’re going to expect at the team competition out on the golf course and how you’re going to handle it, and if anything arises, what are we going to do as a team. Yeah, the more time you can spend around your teammates, I think the better.”
Billy Horschel says the USA are in good shape for the Ryder Cup
When asked about the state of the United States team for the Ryder Cup later this month, Horschel named four key players.
The 38-year-old thinks that Keegan Bradley needs top performances from Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay.
Like most golf fans, Horschel is convinced that it will be an “exciting” showdown that could go down to the wire.
“Yeah, we’ve got some rookies on the team, obviously Cam Young and Ben Griffin, and Russell Henley is obviously a rookie, but he played well last year in the Presidents Cup team,” Horschel continued.
“Listen, on paper, you know, for many years, we know the US side may be the strongest side, but many a time the European Team has come out. This is going to be a very difficult Ryder Cup for everyone involved, especially for the European side, because of the New York fans.
“Obviously, they bring a lot of support, and they are very boisterous. But as any American fans know, they can be a little bit rude at times, and hopefully it’s a little bit more respectful.
“But I think it’s going to be a great Ryder Cup. I think the US side is positioned well. I think when I’m looking at guys, our studs need to step up. Scottie Scheffler needs to step up. Xander needs to step up. JT needs to step up. Patrick Cantlay needs to play the way he normally does. If those four guys play to their ability and get points, it’s going to be a very difficult Ryder Cup for the European side.
“But I think history shows you need your stars to shine and collect points, and I think if those guys do it, similar to the European side, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm and Ludvig [Aberg] and stars of that team show up, it’s going to be tough.
“It’s going to be a great Ryder Cup. I’m looking forward to it. Bethpage is a beautiful venue. Like I said, everyone involved, it’s going to be pretty exciting. As a golf fan, I hope it comes down to Sunday, and that would be even more epic.”
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
