"They Had to Shave Down Some Bone": PGA Tour Pro Opens Up After Surgery

Mar 6, 2026, 2:32 PM CUT

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Billy Horschel achieved the notable feat of finishing the first day of the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational without any bogeys, but the challenges he faced were more apparent than the results.

The veteran player shared his firsthand experience with the extreme consequences of his most recent hip surgery.

When reflecting on the significant collateral injury that his surgeons documented, Horschel commented, "The torn labrum was fine, but it was a big tear. They had to shave down some bone."

This information was disclosed at a "Quick Quotes" session after his first round at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, where he went above and beyond and played through the pain.

BMW PGA, Golf Herren Championship 2025 Billy Horschel plays from the 7th tee during Round 2 at the BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England. 12/09/2025 Picture: Golffile Steve Flynn All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Steve Flynn Virgina Water Wenworth Club Surrey England Copyright: xStevexFlynnx *EDI*,

Surgeons also found two microfractures in the hip, a complication that the golfer stated most people take about a year to two years to heal fully.

Even with the tough recovery, Horschel was determined to work through his May surgery and into the end of the year to help get himself back to a point where he could compete at a high level.

Defying the Medical Prognosis

Having undergone extensive rehabilitation after wrist surgery in 2010, Horschel has experience with lengthy rehab and knows how to handle it, as it takes a full year to stabilize a wrist fully.

"I played four months after surgery, and I was fine, but it was a year of not having to ice it after rounds," Horschel stated about the recovery process.

Horschel has stated that he will be able to rehabilitate from the injury faster than most, saying, "I think, as c**** as I can be at times, I think I can overcome that."

The Florida native refuses to let anything get in the way of his results, even when his hip feels "tired" and "sore" during the morning warm-up before the tournament.

He says his team was shocked by how quickly he returned, but Horschel is now intent on fine-tuning his swing and competing for a win at a course he enjoys.

Horschel has set a target for himself at one of his favourite tour stops, and starting the second round with a solid foundation, he looks to improve his position and sharpen his mechanics.

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Kalp Thaker