Billy Horschel has confirmed his official return date to competitive golf after undergoing right hip surgery in May. The American golfer will make his comeback at the BMW PGA Championship, scheduled from September 11 to 14 at Wentworth Club, where he will defend his title.
In a video shared on his social media, Horschel expressed his excitement about returning to the sport, stating:
“It’s offical…. Returning to the game I love next month @bmwpga!” —Billy Horschel
“excited to get back out there competing against the best players in the world and playing in front of the fans again. See everyone soon!” —Billy Horschel
Context Behind the Hiatus and Surgery
Horschel revealed three months ago that the surgery was a preventative step to address his right hip. Before his operation, he had last competed at the RBC Heritage in April, where he finished tied for 27th place. Shortly afterward, he withdrew from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans due to undisclosed reasons at that time.
He later explained in a video statement:
“After consulting with doctors and my team, I have decided to have right hip surgery early next week out in Colorado.” —Billy Horschel
The surgery required Horschel to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season, including all remaining Major championships and the FedEx Cup Playoffs. This absence meant he could not meet the minimum participation requirements for the DP World Tour season.
Commitment to the DP World Tour and Future Plans
Although Horschel was forced to resign his DP World Tour membership for 2025 due to the surgery layoff, he affirmed his dedication to returning as a full member in 2026. He has two BMW PGA Championship titles in his career, achieved in 2021 and 2024, which further highlight his strong history at Wentworth.
His return to defend his title marks his first tournament back in competition since the early spring, signaling a hopeful comeback for the rest of the season and beyond.
Broader Context of Golf Injuries
Horschel’s injury and recovery come amid a challenging period for other top players. Notably, Will Zalatoris will remain sidelined until fall after undergoing back surgery, Viktor Hovland detailed a neck injury following a recent withdrawal at the Travelers Championship, and Sahith Theegala has confirmed an indefinite break from competition due to injury. These setbacks underscore the physical demands top golfers face on the current tour schedule.