AmericanHorschel excited by return to scene of McIlroy scalp

Billy Horschel’s Fond Memories of Royal County Down

As the Irish Open returns to Royal County Down in September, American golfer Billy Horschel will undoubtedly be flooded with fond memories of his time at the iconic links. His last visit was in 2007, when he was a fresh-faced 20-year-old participating in the Walker Cup. Horschel’s impressive performance included two wins over a young Rory McIlroy, who was just 18 at the time.

Horschel’s encounters with McIlroy during the Walker Cup left a lasting impression. He recalled their matches fondly, saying, “I had the pleasure of being introduced to a young Rory McIlroy at that time. I will say I did come out victorious. I beat him two times, and he beat me once. It was a great week.” Despite McIlroy’s impressive amateur career, Horschel couldn’t predict the Northern Irishman’s future success, which includes four major titles and numerous accolades.

Horschel, now an eight-time PGA Tour winner, is excited to return to Royal County Down for the Irish Open. He missed the 2015 edition but is looking forward to experiencing the iconic links once again. “The fans in Ireland and Northern Ireland are unbelievable. I’m excited to get back there,” he said.

Horschel has immense respect for McIlroy, considering him the “greatest player in our generation.” He reflected on their 2007 encounters, saying, “When I played against him, I saw a really good player, a really talented player. Especially for someone aged 18… But you never know how someone is going to pan out. To see what he’s accomplished in the game of golf, to see the person he’s developed into and become… It’s truly amazing.”

Just days after his impressive performance at the Open Championship, Horschel returns to action at the 3M Open in Minnesota. Despite disappointment at not securing his first major win, he’s proud of how he handled the pressure of contending. “I’m happy with how I handled Sunday. The nerves I thought I would have weren’t there… I felt very comfortable in that arena in that moment.” Horschel looks forward to the Irish Open, where he’ll face stiff competition from the likes of McIlroy and Shane Lowry.