Billy Horschel

Billy Horschel is finally here. 

Fifteen years after he turned professional, 18 years after his first major, he holds the 54-hole lead of The Open. It is what he has always dreamed of.

The 37-year-old has won all but a major and now stands on the verge of doing just that at Royal Troon after a third-round 69 that puts him one stroke clear.

With six players just a shot behind, he knows he will have the fight of his career on his hands tomorrow. But after reaching four-under-par, for now, he is revelling in the moment.

“I've worked my entire life to be in this position,” the 37-year-old said. “Listen, I've been in the lead many times going into a final round.  

“Obviously this is a major. It means a little bit more. We all know that. We know what this means to everyone. I know what it means to my legacy in the game of golf and what I want to do and accomplish. 

“But I'm excited to be here. I've wanted to be here my entire life. I'm finally here. I'm embracing it. 

“As I told Todd Lewis, something I've done this year, and I've done a better job this week, or tried to do a better job, is manifest seeing myself holding the trophy before I go to sleep every night, envisioning myself holding that trophy on 18, walking out to the crowd and being congratulated as Open champion. 

“That's what I'm going to do again tonight, and hopefully that comes true tomorrow. If it doesn't, then I'll get back on the grind and work harder to get back in a position like this again.” 

Horschel has had big wins and earned big riches on the PGA TOUR, claiming the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup back in 2014 and the Memorial Tournament two years ago. 

His record in majors has not quite matched that, with two top-ten finishes. But one of those came earlier this year at the PGA Championship. 

His best Open performance was T21 at St Andrews in 2022, but at four-under and with a one-shot lead he has the chance to significantly eclipse that. 

The world number 62 believes Saturday’s showing of 69 is his best round in a major. But he reserves his best-ever for a past effort in tough conditions at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. 

That links experience is helping the Floridian.

He said: “I've just always embraced the toughness of anything. I've always enjoyed it. I think that's the best thing you can do to have a chance to play well. 

“I enjoy hitting little bunt shots. I get tired of golf where you're making full swings and you lean into a certain number and it stops.  

“I like when you have to be creative and find a way to get around the golf course, and I think I've always done that well for the most part. So I think that's why I enjoy days like this.” 

On Saturday, he played in the driving rain in a short-sleeved shirt. The fire and desire to win a first major burning brightly enough to keep him warm.

He and playing partner Justin Rose were evenly-matched; similar builds, dress, caps on backwards, and a penchant for people-pleasing. 

And how did Horschel entertain. 

A 32-foot putt for birdie on the 7th pushed Horschel to three from the lead, and he kept climbing as others dropped back. 

A first bogey on the 11th hole, which was the hardest of the round, did not halt him as he mastered the greens on moving day. 

In the sand, there was a similar story as he pulled off great escape after great escape. 

A satisfying save on 13 was followed by a tight angle in the bunker at the par-3 14th, where he chipped himself out of trouble. On the 16th, he did the same.

The crowds could not believe how well he played an almost impossible shot. Horschel could not believe he had not holed it. 

That is the mark of a champion. Another is that while he so desperately wants to win on Sunday, he is making sure to remind himself that whatever happens, the chances will come again. 

“I've learned a lot about the game of golf playing 15 years professionally. I think I've learned how to handle my emotions,” he said. 

“I've learned how to embrace a lot of things. I'm never afraid to fail. I think I hate when I don't do well and I get criticism from outside, and I'm letting those criticisms affect my vision of myself. 

“I think, if it's my time tomorrow, it's my time, and I'm going to be ecstatic. If it's not, then we'll get on the horse again, and we'll work hard to get back in that position.”