Billy Horschel is stepping back into the professional golf scene this week at the BMW PGA Championship.
A hip injury has kept him off the course for five months, ending any hopes he had of joining the US Ryder Cup team.
Looking ahead to Bethpage Black, Horschel highlighted what he sees as a clear contrast between the American and European sides.
And a recent chat with Shane Lowry reinforced his belief that there is something Europe consistently gets right when it comes to this competition.
Billy Horschel says the Europeans have stronger team unity at the Ryder Cup
Even though Billy Horschel has not played in either the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup, he is still well-connected within the golf world.
He believes the greater unity among European teams, compared to their American counterparts, allows them to compensate for any disparities in talent.
After a recent conversation with Lowry, Horschel also learned about Europe’s planned trip to Bethpage Black next week.
“Yeah, I think the European team has always been a tighter-knit team than the American team.
“The Americans, from my perspective, I have not been in the team room, I think the press gives them a little bit of a harder time because they are not as close. They are close, but it’s a completely different level on the European side.
“Talking to Shane Lowry, he told me they were flying over there to spend the week in New York, do a little bit of a practice session, hang out and play some golf. Listen, that goes a long way.
“I think that’s an undervalued thing when the team feels very close and very connected and everyone feels like they are all together for one goal. All egos are left at the door as I know European teams have talked about before.
“Yeah, it’s a benefit to be with your teammates and get ready to go into battle into what is going to be a very hostile environment and try and come together and sort of prepare and talk about what you’re going to expect at the team competition out on the golf course and how you’re going to handle it, and if anything arises, what are we going to do as a team. Yeah, the more time you can spend around your teammates, I think the better.”
Horschel confident US core can deliver at Ryder Cup
Asked about the outlook for the American side, Horschel highlighted four players he believes will be central to their success.
He pointed to Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay as key figures Keegan Bradley will need big performances from.
Horschel is excited about the competition and expects it could go down to the wire, as many fans hope.
“Yeah, we’ve got some rookies on the team, obviously Cam Young and Ben Griffin, and Russell Henley is obviously a rookie, but he played well last year in the Presidents Cup team.
“Listen, on paper, you know, for many years we know the U.S. side may be the strongest side, but many a time the European Team has come out. This is going to be a very difficult Ryder Cup for everyone involved, especially for the European side because of the New York fans.
“Obviously they bring a lot of support and they are very boisterous. But as any American fan knows they can be a little bit rude at times and hopefully it’s a little bit more respectful.
“But I think it’s going to be a great Ryder Cup. I think the US side is positioned well. I think when I’m looking at guys, our studs need to step up. Scottie Scheffler needs to step up. Xander needs to step up. JT needs to step up. Patrick Cantlay needs to play the way he normally does. If those four guys play to their ability and get points, it’s going to be a very difficult Ryder Cup for the European side.
“But I think history shows you need your stars to shine and collect points, and I think if those guys do it, similar to the European side, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm and Ludvig [Aberg] and stars of that team show up, it’s going to be tough.
“It’s going to be a great Ryder Cup. I’m looking forward to it. Bethpage is a beautiful venue. Like I said, everyone involved, it’s going to be pretty exciting. As a golf fan, I hope it comes down to Sunday, and that would be even more epic.”
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