BLAINE (Minn.) — Billy Horschel is aware that he still has work to accomplish.
The 2014 FedEx Cup winner is in danger of missing out on the playoffs. With two events remaining in the regular-season, he is ranked 119th.
FedEx St. Jude Championship is only open to the top 70.
Horschel was in need of a good start on Thursday and he certainly got it. The 36-year old shot a 5-under-66 in the first round of the 3M Open, at TPC Twin City. This put him in a tie with seven other players after the morning waves. He is three shots behind the leader Lee Hodges. Horschel has admitted to struggling most of the season, but it seems like it has taken a while for him to finally get his first round.
Horschel stated, “I’ve felt like I’ve played this way for a month or two, but I haven’t been able to get the momentum or make the putts.” “I didn’t putt very well today. I only made one outside 15 feet, and it was on the No. 2. “I played a great round of golf today.”
Horschel began on the 10th and birdied Nos. The score was 4-under-32. He birdied the par-4 second hole before missing the third. He bounced back with a birdie of two putts on the par-5 six and finished his round with three pars.
Horschel’s pedigree makes it difficult to say that this season has not been easy. He’s missed nine cuts in his 20 starts, and hasn’t done better than T-30 at a stroke-play solo event since 2023. (Horschel reached the Round of 16 in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, and finished T-11 in the Zurich Classic – a team event). His best result this season was a T-7 in his very first appearance, at the CJ Cup back in October.
Billy Horschel’s tee-shot on the 11th golf hole during the opening round of the 3M Open. (Photo: Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports)
Horschel felt things were beginning to click before the 3M Open even though his scores had not yet shown it. It finally clicked on Thursday.
Horschel stated, “It validates all we’ve done.” It can be frustrating when you work hard, see results in practice, and feel prepared for a tournament but you don’t see it in the tournament.
“But it’s more of a confirmation that we’ve done great stuff and that it was only a matter time, so long as I did not become impatient that we would start playing some decent golf sooner or later.”
Lee Hodges is in the lead after the morning waves. He has a score of 8-under-par 63. This is one shot off the course record. Hideki Snedeker, Tyler Duncan and Brandt Snedeker are all tied for second place at 7-under.
Horschel may not be leading the race, but he is in a good position after round one. He hasn’t visited this place in a while, but he’s aware of what he needs to do to reach the playoffs. The round on Thursday was only the beginning.
Horschel stated, “It could’ve been better but I’m happy with the direction the game has taken in the last month.” “I am not surprised that I played a good round of golf today.”
