Billy Horschel may be making his return from a five-month spell on the sidelines but he is confident he can mount a strong title defence at the BMW PGA Championship.
The American won the event for the second time last year, following on from his triumph in 2021, after defeating Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence in a thrilling play-off.
But after undergoing right hip surgery in early May, this week sees Horschel make his first competitive outing since the RBC Heritage on the PGA TOUR in April.
Despite some complications early in his rehabilitation, a return to action at Wentworth Club – a venue which has become a home away from home – was always the goal and the 38-year-old is delighted to be back competing again.
And while he is tempering his expectations, he is hopeful he can hit the ground running at the DP World Tour’s third Rolex Series event of the season.
“I understand there's a little bit of rust there, but I feel like there's a lot of good in my game.
“I am not trying put too much pressure or expectations on myself this week or really the rest of the fall.
“I'm just trying to build my way back into competitive golf, build my way back into walking a tournament and getting any rust of the game off to be able to hit the ground running in '26.
“But I do feel like there's enough good in my game right now, and I feel like if I can have that for 72 holes, that there's a good chance come Sunday I'll be in a good position to hopefully challenge for another victory here.”
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Victory this week over a high-calibre international field at the world-renowned West Course would see Horschel become the first three-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship since Colin Montgomerie in 2000.
Horschel added: “You never know, once you get under the gun and emotions start happening again, it’s like riding a bike, you know exactly what to do.”
The decision to go under the knife – described at the time as a “preventative measure” - wrecked Horschel’s hopes of a Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage.
But with the upcoming biennial match play contest in sharp focus as the build-up ramps up with two weeks to go, he is sure his own decision will prove to his benefit in the long run.
"After I got my scan and saw the doctor, there was odds I could manage a couple more months to be able to make the Ryder Cup team," he reflected.
"Unfortunately my personality, once I know there's something that needs to be fixed I want to fix it right way.
"I felt like at some point in time, the returns weren't going to be worth the rewards anymore and I felt like it was smart to get it done now.
"Like I said, it was a tough decision because I was in a decent spot to try to make the Ryder Cup team because I've never been on it."
While ten players on the US Ryder Cup roster are competing stateside at the Procore Championship, 11 of the 12-strong European team are teeing it up at the BMW PGA Championship.
Having played on both tours in recent years, Horschel has a great perspective on both sides and is expecting a fierce contest in New York later this month.
“This is going to be a very difficult Ryder Cup for everyone involved, especially the European side because of the New York fans,” he said. “Obviously they bring a lot of support and they are very boisterous.
“When I'm looking at guys, our studs need to step up. Scottie Scheffler needs to step up. Xander [Schauffele] needs to step up. J.T. [Justin Thomas] needs to step up.
“Patrick Cantlay, he 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.
“I think if those guys do it, like similar to the European side, if the Rory McIlroys, Jon Rahms and Ludvigs and stars of that team show up, it's going to be tough for the Americans.
“But I think history shows you need your stars to shine and collect points. It's going to be a great Ryder Cup. I'm looking forward to it. Bethpage is a beautiful venue.
“As a golf fan, I hope it comes down to Sunday and that would be even more epic.”
