Billy Horschel opened the Wyndham Championship with a 5-under 65, but the veteran isn’t measuring success by where he stands on the leaderboard.
The eight-time PGA TOUR winner entered the regular-season finale needing a strong finish to keep his FedExCup Playoffs hopes alive and improve his chances of qualifying for 2027 Signature Events. Despite what’s at stake, Horschel said he isn’t focused on the standings.
“Listen, I know what I need to do this week. I’m not focusing on it one bit,” Horschel told PGA.com. “I’m more or less just focused on trying to play good golf, something I haven’t done on a routine basis this year.”
Billy Horschel Gives His 2026 Season an ‘F’
Horschel didn’t hesitate when asked to grade his season.
“It’s an F, it’s an F, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I could try and make it sound better or find something good, but I’m going to put it as it is right now, it’s an F. And there’s only one way to go and that’s up.”
The disappointing season comes after Horschel underwent hip surgery in May 2025, causing him to miss six months, including three major championships. In 23 starts this season, he has missed 10 cuts, including all three majors he played.
He believes one area has held him back more than any other.
“The putter has not been friendly,” Horschel said. “My stats, when you look at them as a whole, are just terrible throughout, up and down, except for approach play.”
Searching for answers, Horschel recently made a rare equipment change, replacing the Ping putter he’d used for years with a Callaway model after struggling on the greens at both the Genesis Scottish Open and “The Open Championship.”
“So Harrison Shih with Callaway made me this one up, gave it to me at the U.S. Open,” Horschel said. “After playing really well at the Scottish and British and putting awful, it was time to make a switch.”
He’s also continued working with longtime coach Todd Anderson.
“Worked hard the last couple weeks. Switched putters. Todd and I are continuing to do some good stuff,” Horschel said. “It’s getting better. I’m getting a little bit more confident.”
Horschel Keeps FedExCup Hopes Alive
Horschel’s changes appeared to pay off Thursday.
He carded a bogey-free 65 that included a 45-foot eagle putt on the 15th hole, though he downplayed the round afterward.
“It was a good round of golf. I don’t think I did anything particularly special,” Horschel said. “I would say a pretty boring 65. There wasn’t really much excitement except making a 45-foot eagle putt on No. 15.”
After the opening round, Beau Hossler led the Wyndham Championship at 9-under. Ben James and Sahith Theegala were tied for second at 8-under, while Eric Cole sat alone in fourth at 7-under. Horschel was part of a group at 5-under, keeping himself within striking distance heading into Friday.
Current projections suggest Horschel likely needs at least a two-way tie for second to climb inside the top 70 and qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs.
Regardless of the outcome, Horschel said his focus remains on rediscovering the confidence that made him one of the PGA TOUR’s most consistent players.
“I really just want to play good golf,” he said. “I want to get back to waking up in the morning knowing I’m going to go out there and feel like I’m going to play a good round of golf, not hoping to play a good round of golf.”
“If it leads to success that allows me to go next week to Memphis, great,” Horschel added. “If not, then I’m prepared to play some fall events and do something I haven’t done in really a decade plus.”
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