Billy Horschel to Undergo Hip Surgery, Sidelining Ryder Cup Hopes
Billy Horschel will undergo right hip surgery next week in Colorado, likely ending his Ryder Cup aspirations for this year. The 38-year-old announced Tuesday that he’ll be sidelined for multiple months, potentially missing the remainder of the season.
“It’s an unfortunate situation with so many great events left on the calendar, but this is a preventative measure,” Horschel said. “I’m already itching to start rehab, get back to practicing, and I look forward to returning to the course sometime around late summer/early fall.”
Horschel had already withdrawn from the Zurich Classic, where he was set to partner with Tom Hoge, citing a lower body injury.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Horschel’s Ryder Cup chances. He currently sits No. 16 in U.S. Ryder Cup points, and with the matches scheduled for September 25-28 at Bethpage, his window for impressing captain Keegan Bradley is closing fast. Even if he returns before then, he’d need a captain’s pick with little competitive golf under his belt.
Horschel’s made 12 starts this season with mixed results – two top-10s but also five missed cuts. He’s currently No. 58 in FedExCup points and No. 24 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
What makes this particularly disappointing is how Horschel’s stock had risen after his performance in TGL, where his Atlanta Drive GC won the inaugural title. His passion and energy during those matches had many believing this might finally be his year to make the Ryder Cup team.
Horschel himself acknowledged earlier this month how much making the team would mean to him.
“Every time we’re in a Ryder Cup year, I’m very well aware that I haven’t been part of a Ryder Cup team,” Horschel told Golf Channel on April 1. “But I can’t solely focus on that. I can’t have that be the driving force.”
He’d been optimistic about his chances this time around, adding: “I’m in the best situation that I think I’ve ever been in my career, at this stage, six months out from a Ryder Cup. I think if I can continue to improve and continue to play well and play consistently well, hopefully it lends itself to being a part of a Ryder Cup team.”
Horschel had been particularly excited about the prospect of playing at Bethpage, noting, “I would love to be a part of that zoo in New York… It’s going to be the craziest Ryder Cup ever.”
Now, barring a remarkably quick recovery, those dreams will likely have to wait until 2026. The surgery, while disappointing in the short term, should help address issues that have been affecting his performance and give him a chance to return fully healthy later this year or next season.
