With so many top names within the game yet to find their best form this year, players such as Billy Horschel have every reason to be extremely optimistic heading into The Masters.
It has been a difficult start to the year for Billy Horschel. The 37-year-old was the star of TGL, but his form on the PGA Tour has not been quite as impressive with just two top 10s so far.
He showed some positive signs at the Valspar Championship as a charge on Sunday saw him finish in a tie for fourth at Innisbrook. And he will be hoping to take some of his positive performances in the majors from last year to Augusta National.
However, The Masters has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the 37-year-old.
Billy Horschel explains the difficulties he has had at The Masters throughout his career
The Masters is the one major Horschel has never registered a top 10 at. His best result since 2017 is a tied for 38th finish, which came when the event was held in November 2020.
And speaking to Golf Channel, Horschel explained why he believes playing at Augusta National has caused him so many issues over the years.
“I don’t think it’s anything that has to do with the golf course. When I understand a golf course requires precision, a high level of precision, which is what Augusta does, especially with iron shots and placing the ball in the right spot, and if you miss sometimes, you miss in a bad spot and it really punishes you for that, I just get a little too tight. I try to be too perfect, and that’s my perfectionism in me. I understand, I’ve seen enough guys play Augusta and not be perfect, they don’t hit perfect golf shots and they’re missing it in the proper spots to be able to allow themselves to get up and down for par, or avoid a disaster,” he said.
“I just think majors have always been my bugaboo, I’ve done a better job over the last handful of years. Results may not show it, but I think the way I’ve felt, the way I’ve prepared, the relaxation I’ve had in majors has been a lot better than earlier in my career. Yes, I would have liked the results to have shown up sooner. I think last year showed the progression I’ve made over the last handful of years and hopefully how well I played in the majors last year can continue into this year.”
Horschel hoping to make up for lost time at Augusta National
It is incredible to think now that Horschel was not even in the field for the 2024 Masters after struggling with his game for some time at the start of the year.
A win at the Corelas Puntacana Championship sparked a turnaround in his fortunes which culminated in Horschel winning the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour and contending for The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
And Horschel explained how difficult it was not to be a part of the field for the first major of the year 12 months ago.
“It’s my tenth Masters, I’ve missed two in the last 12 or 13 years, and both times I’ve missed them, it’s been awful to watch on TV and not be able to experience it. And I think missing the two Masters I’ve had, especially last year, just gives me more gratitude I guess to enjoy the experience more; understand that there is a time limit to how many Masters I’m going to be able to play if I don’t win one,” he said.
“I’m trying to go this year and enjoy everything about Augusta: playing on the golf course, trying to hit the quality golf shots, having the fans pull for you, the roars, experience it with your family and your kids. My kids are absolutely excited to get back. Being inside the ropes is very nervous because it’s the one major we go back to year in, year out. Everyone knows the golf shots, and you know the historic aspect of the course and the tournament itself. And I think it just lends itself to great golf, but also to a pressure of wanting to perform and be a part of history and legacy that The Masters has had for decades.”
Horschel may not be at his best right now. But he is a player inside the top 20 in the world rankings for a reason. So it should surprise no-one if he enjoys his best ever year at The Masters this time around.
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