Billy Horschel on TGL, His Injury Comeback, and the PGA TOUR’s Future | Michael Bamberger | 5 Clubs
On this Monday edition of 5 Clubs, Gary Williams recaps a packed sports weekend before turning the page to golf, including a full look back at The Genesis Invitational and what it told us about where the game is headed. Gary starts with the moment that stole the weekend outside of golf, then rolls into the winners around the world and the headline story from Riviera. Jacob Bridgeman breaks through for his first PGA TOUR win, and Gary explains why his performance was so rare in the ShotLink era and why closing with a lead can be its own kind of pressure. From there, Gary digs into Scottie Scheffler’s fight after an ugly start, the efficiency that makes him so dangerous even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, and how Rory McIlroy’s shot-making is starting to look like the kind of artistry that travels to Augusta and Shinnecock. Then, Billy Horschel joins the show ahead of TGL action with Atlanta Drive. Billy gives a real update on where his body is after surgery, what it’s been like building endurance again, and why he feels he’s trending in the right direction. He also talks about why the indoor, prime-time environment fits him, how the nerves in TGL compare to TOUR pressure, and what it means to be an entertainer while still showing real skill. Billy also gets into the urgency of the next couple of weeks, his mindset chasing opportunities like The Players and the Masters, and what he believes the PGA TOUR needs to protect as it evolves, especially when it comes to cuts, access, and creating real opportunity for members. After that, Michael Bamberger joins Gary for a wide-ranging conversation on golf’s most relentless competitors, Scottie Scheffler’s mindset and focus, and what separates the truly rare personalities at the top. Michael also shares the story behind the 40th anniversary re-release of his first book, including what’s new in this edition and why those long relationships in golf still matter. Gary closes the show with thoughts on the LPGA’s global start to the season and why it matters that the best players are winning early, even when the events are happening far from the U.S. viewing window. With the West Coast Swing now in the rearview, the PGA TOUR heads to Florida, and the shift in conditions and scoring resistance is about to get real.
