Billy Horschel admitted he has hit a new low point in his professional career after opening with a 12-over par 84 at the Memorial Tournament on Thursday.
Horschel arrived at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, as the defending champion, but acknowledged Wednesday that his year to date on the golf course has been “abysmal.” It quickly got worse on Thursday.
Horschel parred the opening hole before the wheels began to rattle with three bogeys. He made the turn in 5-over 41 and then carded a pair of double bogeys en route to a 9-over 43 on the back nine.
At the end of the day, Horschel was better than only one of the 119 players who finished the opening round. Chad Ramey carded a 16-over 88 while Dylan Frittelli withdrew at 15-over with four holes to play.
“I’ll keep working,” said Horschel, who totaled six bogeys and three double bogeys in a birdie-free round. “As much as I would love to throw in the towel and not come out tomorrow, that’s just not in me. I’m just not one of those players. There’s plenty of those guys out here on tour that would make an excuse about being injured and everything.”
With Horschel already struggling at 8 over, his group was put on the clock on the 13th hole. They were able to get back into position by the 15th tee, despite Horschel coming off his third double bogey of the day.
“I’m making a big number on every single hole, it seems like,” he said. “I’m struggling every hole.
“Listen, my confidence is the lowest it’s been in my entire career.”
However, like he insisted the previous day, Horschel said his form is not as far off as the crooked numbers on his scorecard might indicate.
“As low as it feels, it feels like I’m not that far off at the same time,” said Horschel, 36, a seven-time winner since joining the PGA Tour in 2011. “Which is insane to see when you see me shoot 84 today. It wouldn’t make sense to a lot of people. But I don’t think I’m that far off.
“It’s a day and I’ve had plenty of these days this year,” added Horschel, who has missed six cuts in 15 events this season. “Not this bad, but it’s just a day. We’ll get by it.”
–Field Level Media
