Billy Horschel, the American golfer and eight-time PGA Tour winner, has announced his return to competitive golf after a long break caused by a hip injury and preventive surgery. Despite resigning his membership for the 2025 DP World Tour season due to not meeting the minimum event requirements, Horschel confirmed he will compete at the iconic 2025 BMW PGA Championship held at Wentworth, where he is a two-time champion. This announcement highlights both his commitment to a comeback and the significant changes in his tour status.
The hip injury sidelined Horschel for several months, stopping him from fulfilling the minimum number of events required by the DP World Tour for 2025. As a consequence, he decided to step down from the Tour but will still appear at the BMW PGA Championship thanks to an exemption available for past winners. This exemption allowed him to compete without full membership status, a provision previously used by players like Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed during exceptional circumstances.
Horschel’s Special Connection to the BMW PGA Championship
Billy Horschel’s excitement about returning to Wentworth stems from his deep ties to the championship. He has won the BMW PGA Championship twice—in 2021 and again in 2024, the latter victory secured in a dramatic playoff against the likes of Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence. His 2024 victory was historic as he became the first American to win the event twice.
Reflecting on his achievements, Horschel expressed in an Instagram video,
“I think I’ve talked about for many years how special this place is. Growing up watching it on TV and then to finally play it six, seven plus years ago for the first time, and then to call myself now a two-time champion is surreal.”
—Billy Horschel
The energy and support from fans at Wentworth have always been a driving factor for him. Though he will no longer accumulate points for the Race to Dubai due to his resignation from the Tour, the chance to compete among the world’s best and the thrill of the event remain major motivations.
Understanding Horschel’s Decision to Resign and His Future Aspirations
Horschel’s decision to resign from the DP World Tour for 2025 was carefully considered. After discussions with the Tour authorities regarding membership regulations, he concluded that stepping down was the right course of action. He explained,
“After consulting with the D.P. World Tour and their member regulations, the best course of action is for me to resign my membership for 2025,”
—Billy Horschel.
Despite stepping back temporarily, Horschel emphasized his intent to fully rejoin the Tour the following year, stating,
“I am committed to being a full D.P. World Tour member in 2026 again. I’ve enjoyed being a D.P. World Tour member over the last handful of years.”
—Billy Horschel
His resignation reflects a temporary setback linked to injury rather than a withdrawal from international competition, reinforcing his ongoing involvement in global golf.
Why the DP World Tour Became Central to Horschel’s Career
Billy Horschel’s association with the DP World Tour began in 2019 at the BMW PGA Championship and quickly grew into a crucial part of his career. His college coach, Buddy Alexander, encouraged him to embrace global competition to be considered a world-class player, and Horschel took this advice seriously.
“I met my college coach, Buddy Alexander, who said, if you want to consider yourself a world-class player, you have to play around the world, and you have to play well, and you have to win. And that’s something I’ve taken to heart over the last five years.”
—Billy Horschel
Since his debut on the DP World Tour, Horschel has steadily built a strong presence internationally, highlighted by his 2021 breakthrough win at Wentworth with a closing round of 65. That season, he nearly captured the Race to Dubai title, finishing as the runner-up. His global success continued into 2024 when he again triumphed at the BMW PGA Championship and ranked fourth in the season-long standings.
Horschel’s Global Experience Enhances His Game
Beyond individual tournament wins, Horschel credits his experience competing across various countries and tour conditions for improving his overall game and maturity as a player. Having contended at the 2023 DP World Tour Championship and ranking highly in multiple season standings, he has demonstrated adaptability in different playing environments. His performances in major championships also reflect this growth, with a tied eighth place at the 2024 PGA Championship and a tied second at the 2024 Open Championship.
Discussing the value of global competition, Horschel told Bunkered magazine in 2023,
“Guys didn’t see the benefits of travel, not only in how it can help your golf game and how it can make you a better player, but as a person as well. When you visit these countries that you’ve never been to and are out of your element, you grow as a person,”
—Billy Horschel.
This philosophy has guided him to embrace the DP World Tour as more than just a schedule commitment but as an opportunity for personal and professional development, setting him apart from many American players who choose to focus solely on the PGA Tour.
The Significance of Horschel’s Return for Golf’s International Stage
Billy Horschel’s resignation from the DP World Tour for 2025 due to injury temporarily pauses his full participation but does not diminish his presence on the international golf stage. His return at the 2025 BMW PGA Championship will be watched closely, as he aims to defend his title and reestablish momentum after surgery.
His story is indicative of the growing trend of top golfers seeking opportunities to compete globally, enhancing their skills and expanding the sport’s reach. Horschel’s commitment to resuming full membership in 2026 signals his long-term investment in maintaining a prominent role in both the DP World Tour and worldwide golf competition.
As he prepares for his comeback at Wentworth, fans and peers alike will be eager to see how Horschel’s perseverance and passion translate into performance on one of golf’s most historic and prestigious stages.