Billy Horschel expressed deep admiration for Kevin Hall following the Deaf golfer’s near-miss at the Korn Ferry Tour’s NV5 Invitational 2025. Hall, 42, fell just one stroke short of making the cut at The Glen Club, illustrating his determination and skill despite the challenge.
On July 26, Hall shot an even-par 71 in the second round, leaving him at 6-under par after two rounds. The cutline stood at 7-under following the 36-hole stage, and although Hall birdied the final hole, it was narrowly insufficient to advance.
Encouraged by Hall’s performance, Horschel shared his thoughts on social media.
“Kevin is an awesome guy with the best attitude and personality that I’ve ever met! Love it whenever I’m around him,” he wrote on X.
Kevin Hall Reflects on Communication and Inspiring Others
Speaking about the obstacles he faces, Hall emphasized that communication has been his greatest challenge throughout his career as a Deaf athlete. He explained how he navigates interactions and stays connected in various situations.
“But I’m good at lip reading,” he said. “And a lot of people I’ve known since I was young understand my voice. And I have my phone. I can use Aira ASL to connect with a sign language interpreter on demand. That helps me communicate with people, too. So I have a lot of tools at the ready for communication.”
Hall also highlighted the importance of his role as a source of inspiration.
“So I take that role very seriously. It’s a very special role to me. And I think that if you’re in that position, to influence and inspire, that means you’re doing great.”
Billy Horschel’s Status and Season Highlights Amid Recovery
Billy Horschel will not participate in the 3M Open 2025, an ongoing PGA Tour event. He announced a few months prior that he was undergoing right hip surgery, which sidelines him for the rest of the season as a preventative measure.
“It’s an unfortunate situation with so many great events left on the calendar but this is a preventative measure,” Horschel shared. “I’m already itching to start rehab, get back to practicing and I look forward to returning to the course sometime around late summer/early fall.”
This season, Horschel competed in 12 events, making the cut seven times with two top-10 finishes. His most recent tournament was the RBC Heritage, where he tied for 27th place.
Here is a summary of Horschel’s tournament results this year:
- The Sentry: 51st place
- Sony Open in Hawaii: Missed cut
- The American Express: Tied 21st
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Tied 9th
- WM Phoenix Open: Missed cut
- The Genesis Invitational: Missed cut
- Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches: Tied 25th
- Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard: Missed cut
- THE PLAYERS Championship: Tied 42nd
- Valspar Championship: Tied 4th
- Masters Tournament: Missed cut
- RBC Heritage: Tied 27th
Looking Ahead: Inspiring Stories and Recovery Journeys
Billy Horschel praises Deaf golfer Kevin Hall not only for his athletic abilities but for his resilience and positive attitude, emphasizing the impact Hall has on others as a role model. Hall’s story highlights the challenges faced by athletes with disabilities and the innovative ways they overcome communication barriers.
As Horschel focuses on his recovery and return to form later this year, Hall’s ongoing journey continues to inspire a wider audience within and beyond the golf community. Their stories underscore the importance of determination, support, and technology in shaping sports careers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Billy Horschel have a speech impediment?
A. Billy Horschel expressed on social media that he is grateful but also shares that he feels anxious about pronouncing certain words due to his speech impediment or lisp.