Hideki Matsuyama, a golfer from Columbus, Ohio, knows that the game can be cruel.
A neck injury has forced the Japanese golfer to miss a month of competition due to his inability to play. He won the Memorial in 2014, and the Masters 2021. When asked how he feels, he replied, “I’m feeling great.” Tomorrow morning, you never know.
You’re going to win the Memorial one day and you can finally bring your family together on the 18 th green. Billy Horschel won the Memorial in 2022. He shot 84 one year later and was trying to hold back tears during a live video interview as he processed what had happened. Horschel’s career ended on Friday, but he may have gained some confidence after shooting an even-par 72 and making six birdies.
Horschel should find some comfort in the 12-stroke improvement he made on a single day as he seeks to understand why his game has deteriorated since achieving one of his greatest achievements.
Justin Thomas’s drop from PGA Championship champion last May to missing cut at the Memorial may not be as dramatic as Horschel’s, but he’s still unhappy to leave Jack’s Place so early. His game also appears to have a couple of more holes than he’d like as the U.S. Open is less than two weeks off.
Are there any players like Matsuyama who felt great on Friday? World No. Xander Schnaffele improved his score by 11 shots – from an opening round 77 (his highest score since 2022’s second Masters) to a second round 66. Matt Kuchar improved from 79 points to 67. Brandt Snedeker is another nine-time Tour winner who made the cut after his first appearance since September, following experimental surgery to his sternum. World No. Scottie Scheffler, despite his dismay at missing a par putt on 18, managed to sneak into the top spot. It is a game that gives and takes.
Horschel said on Thursday that “as low as I feel, it doesn’t feel like I am too far away at the same time.” It’s absurd to say that when you see my 84 today. It wouldn’t be logical to many people. “But I don’t believe I’m so far off.”
Confidence comes from knowing that your best golf is yet to come. Here are some notables that missed the cut, and hope to play better golf in the future.
