Billy Horschel | The Open | Royal Troon
Leader Jumps At Chance For First Major At The Open
Billy Horschel has arrived at last.
After fifteen years as a professional golfer and 18 years since winning his first major, he is now in the lead after three rounds of The Open. This is the moment he has always hoped for.
The 37-year-old golfer has won almost every major tournament except one, and now he is very close to winning it at Royal Troon. He shot a 69 in the third round, putting him one stroke ahead of the competition.
With six players close behind in score, he understands that he will face tough competition tomorrow. However, after achieving a four-under-par score, he is currently enjoying and savoring the present moment.
“I have dedicated my whole life to reach this point,” the 37-year-old expressed. “I have often led ahead in previous final rounds.”
Clearly, this is a significant event. It holds extra importance for me and we all understand that. We recognize the significance it holds for people. I am aware of how it will impact my reputation in the golf world and what I hope to achieve.
"I'm thrilled to be in this place. It's been my dream to be here for as long as I can remember. Now that I'm finally here, I'm fully embracing the moment."
I shared with Todd Lewis that this year I have been visualizing myself as the champion more often. I have been focusing on this goal, especially this week. I imagine myself holding the trophy before I go to bed every night. I picture myself walking confidently to the 18th hole, holding the trophy, and being celebrated by the crowd as the Open champion.
I plan to do the same thing tonight, and I hope that it works out tomorrow. If it doesn't, I will keep working hard to reach a similar position in the future.
Horschel has achieved major victories and accumulated significant wealth while competing on the PGA Tour. In 2014, he won both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup, and he also clinched the Memorial Tournament two years ago.
His performance in major tournaments hasn't been as successful, with only two top-ten finishes. However, he achieved one of those earlier this year at the PGA Championship.
His highest-ranking at the Open was tied for 21st place at St Andrews in 2022. However, with a score of four-under and leading by one shot, he has the opportunity to surpass that performance significantly.
The player ranked 62nd in the world thinks that his score of 69 on Saturday was his top performance in a major tournament. However, he considers his greatest round to be from a previous competition at the challenging Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The connection to experience is benefiting the person from Florida.
He mentioned, "I have always welcomed challenges with open arms. I have consistently found joy in facing difficult situations. I believe that is key to performing well."
I love playing short, gentle shots on the golf course. I find it boring when all you do is make big swings and aim for a specific distance to stop.
I enjoy using my creativity and finding different ways to navigate the golf course. I believe I have always been successful in doing so. That is why I particularly enjoy days like this.
He played in the heavy rain on Saturday wearing a short-sleeved shirt. His intense passion and determination to win his first major tournament kept him motivated and focused.
He and his playing partner Justin Rose were evenly matched; they had similar physical appearances, wore similar clothes, wore their hats backwards, and both enjoyed interacting with the crowd.
What did Horschel do to have fun?
Horschel's excellent 32-foot putt on the 7th hole helped him make a birdie and move to within three strokes of the lead. He continued to improve while other players fell behind.
On the 11th hole, he made his first bogey of the round, but it didn't stop him from doing well on the rest of the course.
On the beach, there was a familiar tale as he managed to escape time after time.
After making a great save on the 13th hole, he faced a difficult shot from a tight angle in the bunker on the par-3 14th. However, he managed to chip himself out of trouble. He faced a similar situation on the 16th hole and successfully executed another impressive chip shot.
The fans were amazed by how perfectly he executed a shot that seemed almost impossible. Horschel was shocked that the ball didn't go in the hole.
This shows the true character of a champion. He is determined to win on Sunday, but he also understands that opportunities will continue to arise in the future.
"I have gained a great deal of knowledge about golf during my 15 years as a professional player. Through this experience, I believe I have developed the skills to effectively manage my emotions," he shared.
I have discovered how to accept many things. I'm not scared of making mistakes. I find it difficult when I don't succeed and receive negative feedback from others, allowing it to influence my self-perception.
I believe that if tomorrow is my day, I will be thrilled. If not, I will keep pushing and work hard to try again.
