‘EXCITED’ HORSCHEL HOPES IT’S HIS TIME
Gunning for first Major win, American leads six golfers by a shot in horrid conditions
TROON – Billy Horschel’s record at golf ’s British Open is not a flattering one, and that was why he has been waiting for this opportunity all his life to move into prime position to change that following a stellar display in the third round.
The 37-year-old American led a congested leaderboard at Royal Troon in Scotland by one shot at four-under 209 after a two-under round of 69 on July 20.
A combination of strong winds and torrential rain made for conditions that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler
described as the toughest he has ever faced on the back nine.
But Florida native Horschel instead thrived in the wet to edge towards a first-ever Major title.
“I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position,” said the eighttime winner on the PGA Tour.
“I’ve been in the lead many times going into a final round. Obviously this is a Major and it means a little bit more. We all know that. We know what this means to everyone.
“I know what it means to my legacy in the game of golf and what I want to do and accomplish. I’m excited to be here. I’ve wanted to be here my entire life. I’m finally here. I’m embracing it.”
Five shots off the pace overnight, it was an impressive performance in rainswept conditions by the world No. 62 who has missed six cuts in nine British Opens – including the 2016 tournament at Royal Troon where he opened with a 67 before slumping to an 85 in howling rain and wind.
His best finish was a tie for 21st at St Andrews in 2022.
As heavy rain swept in from the Irish Sea, he reeled off four birdies to reach the turn in four-under 32 – in a tie at the top with Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Horschel then bogeyed the parfour 11th but, as the winds strengthened, parred the next six holes before dropping another shot at the last.
“When we got to 13, the wind really picked up,” said the American, who wore his cap turned around to prevent water from running off the brim into his eyes.
“It was a tough one out there today. I just knew going into the back side that it was going to be a grind no matter what.
“This round in the Open is by far the best I’ve played in a Major. I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty, and I was prepared for what the last nine holes would entail.
“I’ve learnt a lot about the game of golf playing 15 years professionally. I’m never afraid to fail. If it’s my time tomorrow, I’m going to be ecstatic. If it’s not, then we’ll work hard to get back in that position again.”
South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence and American Sam Burns took advantage of benign conditions early in the day with six-under 65s, finishing at 210 alongside England’s Daniel Brown and Justin Rose (both 73), and Americans Xander Schauffele (69) and Russell Henley (66).
Scheffler was lurking ominously on 211 after an even-par 71.
For 2019 Open champion Lowry, his round unravelled as the conditions worsened. The Irishman had a double-bogey on the eighth and then bogeyed five of his last eight holes for a 77 to end on 212.
South Korea’s Kim Si-woo provided the day’s standout moment when he hit a hole-in-one with a three-iron at the 238-yard parthree 17th. Before his shot, the longest ace at the Open was by Frank Lickliter II, who achieved the feat at the 212-yard fifth hole at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001.
Kim shot a 71 and was on fiveover 218 entering the final round.
All eyes would be on Horschel but he revealed that he will switch off ahead of a momentous round by watching darts thanks to his love of British sports.
“I’ll probably watch some darts on TV. I’m very English when it comes to sporting events,” said the West Ham United fan, who sported the crest of the London club on his golf bag this week.
“I love watching well).” cricket (as