In golf, your form can dip as quickly as it peaks. It is a sport that is psychologically demanding as well as physically demanding.
Billy Horschel’s post-round interview on day one at the Memorial Tournament showed that confidence is volatile – even at the top of the game.
The American returned to Muirfield Village on Thursday after romping the prestigious event by four shots in 2022.
Unfortunately, we saw Horschel in a completely different state in yesterday’s first round in Ohio, as he struggled to a 12-over-par 84.
“It’s tough right now,” he emotionally explained. “As I said, I’m working really hard, trying to do the right things, and the team’s doing everything really well. It sucked today.
“Yesterday, I didn’t hit it very good in the pro-am and even after the round it wasn’t bad. On video, it looks good. Technically it’s not that far off.
“I’ll go out there and give it my all like I always do.”
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 2, 2023
Transparency and raw emotion from defending champion Billy Horschel after an opening round 84. pic.twitter.com/4Cx7r6hmPL
“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 are plenty of those guys out here on tour that would make an excuse about being injured and everything.
“I’m making a big number on every single hole it seems like. I’m struggling every hole – my confidence is the lowest it’s been in my entire career. I think ever in my entire golf career. As low as it feels, it feels like I’m not that far off at the same time.
“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. I need the swing to be a little bit better, I need to do a few more things a little bit better.
“I just need to see a few more quality golf shots and that’s just what I haven’t had. And it’s tough when you come to a course like this and you need to be precise tee to green and I’m not really precise right now from tee to green.
“It’s a challenge out there, there’s no doubt about it. But like I said, I’ll keep plugging away and I’ll keep pushing forward and I’ll keep grinding hard I’ll keep working hard and hopefully it comes around soon.”
Horschel made six bogeys and three double bogeys, only to be eclipsed by Chad Ramey at the bottom of the leaderboard, who carded an 88.
South African Dylan Frittelli had been 15-over through 14 holes but called it a day due to illness.
Horschel’s win at the Memorial last year was his seventh win on the PGA Tour and it helped him to earn a spot on the US Presidents Cup team for the first time in September.
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