PGA Tour Pro Remains Unsatisfied Despite Progress in Recovery

Billy Horschel is ahead of schedule in his return from hip surgery, but says he still doesn't feel fully like himself.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Billy Horschel, a PGA Tour pro, is making progress in his recovery from hip surgery, but he remains unsatisfied with his progress. Horschel says he is ahead of the restoration timetable, but he still doesn't have the feeling of being fully himself. He is focused on regaining his full power and explosiveness, but argues that progress alone is insufficient - he wants to fully regain his sense of self before returning to competition.

Why it matters

Horschel's struggle to fully recover his form and fitness after surgery highlights the challenges professional golfers face in returning to top-level competition. Even when the physical recovery is going well, the mental and emotional aspects of the comeback can be just as difficult to overcome.

The details

Horschel revealed that he is still dealing with two microfractures that are healing, a process that can take up to two years. Physically, the hip itself is no longer the main concern, but he is still working to regain the explosiveness and power he had before the surgery. Coaches and medical staff have reassured Horschel that his progress is strong, but he is not satisfied with just being ahead of schedule - he wants to be 100% back to his previous level of performance.

  • Horschel's 2026 season has started with a steady stretch of PGA Tour events as he works his way back to full fitness.
  • He has played in the Sony Open in Hawaii, the American Express, the Farmers Insurance Open, the WM Phoenix Open, and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
  • His best finish so far was a T48 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The players

Billy Horschel

A PGA Tour pro who is recovering from hip surgery and working to regain his full strength and explosiveness.

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What they’re saying

“The hip itself is really good. I'm way ahead of schedule from everyone I talk to.”

— Billy Horschel, PGA Tour Pro (5 Clubs with Gary Williams)

“They keep reminding me how far ahead of schedule I am. But in my mind, I'm never satisfied with being ahead of schedule. I wanted to be completely 100%, and we're pretty close to being there.”

— Billy Horschel, PGA Tour Pro (5 Clubs with Gary Williams)

“Now it's just getting the explosiveness out of that hip and the lower body to be back to where I was before the hip surgery.”

— Billy Horschel, PGA Tour Pro (5 Clubs with Gary Williams)

What’s next

Horschel is playing at PGA National's Champion Course for the Cognizant Classic and maintaining his steady return to competition. Instead of rushing back with a heavy schedule, he has taken a gradual approach, using regular starts to get closer to full strength as the season goes on.

The takeaway

Horschel's struggle to fully recover his form and fitness after surgery highlights the mental and emotional challenges professional athletes face in returning to top-level competition, even when the physical recovery is going well. His desire to not just be 'ahead of schedule' but to fully regain his sense of self and previous level of performance shows the high standards and determination required to succeed at the highest levels of golf.