Billy Horschel on precipice of career-changing Open win; seizes 54-hole lead

Winning a major championship defines a golfer’s achievement and it’s no wonder Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods rank as the greatest golfers of all time: Nicklaus has won 18 times and Woods has won 15 times, most recently at Augusta National in 2019.

Meanwhile, Billy Horschel has never won a major championship or even come close, with his best result being a tie for fourth place at the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. Horschel was tied for the lead with Phil Mickelson after 36 holes, but Justin Rose went on to win in Philadelphia.

Now, all these years later, Horschel shot a stunning 2-under 69 on Saturday and holds a one-stroke lead after 54 holes in the 152nd British Open.

He battled the elements, even tipping his hat inside out to avoid raindrops, but his short game was on full display, especially over the final nine holes, as Horschel won the final round. Clutch par save rear Par Save Meanwhile, the other challengers were stumbling around him.

The former Florida Gator bogeyed the 11th and 18th holes, and everyone is dropping a shot somewhere on the back nine, but the 37-year-old Horschel now has the opportunity of a lifetime: He has a chance to change the direction of his career and become a major champion.

“I’ve worked my whole life to get to this position,” Horschel said after the game.

“I’ve been in the lead going into the final round so many times. Of course, this is a major. It means a lot. We all know that. I know what this means to everybody. I know what it means to my legacy in golf and what I want to do and what I want to accomplish. But I’m just excited to be here. I’ve wanted to be here forever. And finally I’m here. I’m just ecstatic.”

Horschel had a strong showing earlier this year, tying for eighth at the PGA Championship, and also qualified for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in a tie for 41st. But prior to his strong showing at Valhalla in May, Horschel’s last top-10 finish in a major was at Merion, his first major as a pro. Horschel certainly struggled during that time, most notably at last year’s Memorial, where he started Jack Nicklaus’ tournament with an astounding 84.

But he has eight PGA Tour wins, including this year’s Corales Puntacana Championship.

“What I’ve done this year, and what I’ve done better this week, or tried to do better, is every night before I go to bed I picture myself holding the trophy, I picture myself on the 18th hole holding it and going out in front of the crowd and being celebrated as the British Open champion,” Horschel said.

“We’re going to do that again tonight. I hope that happens. [on Sunday]If that doesn’t happen, we’ll keep trying again to get back to that position.”

Horschel has worked tirelessly this year to return to the pinnacle of the sport, the same place he was when he won the FedExCup title in 2014. But he’s also learned a great deal about himself after nearly 15 years on Tour.

“I think I’ve learned how to deal with my emotions. I’ve learned how to accept a lot of things. I’m not saying I’m afraid of failure. I’ve never been afraid of failure. I just hate the outside criticism of not doing well and I think that criticism affects my vision of myself,” Horschel explained.

“So if it’s my turn tomorrow, it’s my turn and I’ll be ecstatic. If it’s not, we’ll get back on the horse and work hard to get back up there again.”

If Horschel hoists the Claret Jug on Sunday, he and his family will undoubtedly be in for a big celebration. But he’s also well aware that it could easily slip away. That’s the game of golf. Majors are won or lost depending on so many outside factors. There’s a fair bit of luck involved, too. Horschel knows that, which is why he’s so pleased with himself and his career so far.

Photo by Oisin Keneally/R&A via Getty Images

“You look at Lee Westwood, Steve Stricker, all the guys who have had great careers, who else could we forget? I’m sure there are a few other guys who haven’t won a major championship but have had really great careers and don’t have a major championship record,” Horschel said.

“I understand it’s OK if I don’t make it to the majors, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try and put in all my effort to change that.”

Hard work almost always pays off, but a positive attitude and a great short game also go a long way in major championships.

Horschel has been that way all week, but his play around the greens has been outstanding, as he navigated Royal Troon’s dangerous pot bunkers up and down eight times out of eight times. Horschel also leads the field in strokes gained this week, proving everything is going well.

But the question now is whether Horschel can last another day.

If he does, it will undoubtedly change his career.

In a good direction.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.