Billy Horschel’s victory at the BMW PGA Championship was spectacular for many reasons: the 20-under winning total, 26 birdies across the four rounds over Wentworth’s West Course and the way he eagled the second extra hole to edge out Rory McIlroy were just some of the highlights.
On Saturday the American made seven straight birdies around the turn and his putting over the four days was incredible. Of all the players who made the cut he would top the putting stats, with a Strokes Gained of +2.65 on the greens for each round.
When it was most needed Horschel, using a Ping Sigma 2 Tyne 4 putter, would roll in a five-foot putt to make a crucial birdie on the 72nd hole before, two holes later, rolling one from distance across Wentworth’s 18th green for a winning eagle.
“My heart was pounding on the last couple shots, the last couple holes, and especially in the play-off, but it’s always fun being in those situations,” Horschel said after clinching victory.
Horschel’s top tips
So how can we learn from Horschel’s putting which sees him in 21st on the PGA Tour putting stats and sixth inside 10 feet.
This is how Horschel explained his thinking on the five-footer to make the play-off.
“My mindset on that putt was going back to the putting green and being on the chalk line. If anyone has ever watched me on the putting green, I’ve spent countless hours on a chalk line with two tees and just rolling the ball between two tees. And I spent countless hours doing putting drills that I have to make X amount of putts and, if I don’t, then I have to redo the drill until it’s completed.
“On that putt I envisioned the chalk line starting in the right centre of the hole and all I did was just imagine me rolling that ball on the chalk line and breaking a little bit to the left to go in the hole.”
Another great Horschel tip is the key element of hitting the putt out of the middle, something that will be helped by the two-tee drill.
“Inside 10 feet is massive. One thing I really focus on is to make sure that I make really good solid contact with it. So I really try and make sure that when I’m over the putt, I’ve got a good line where I want it to go, and I just stay in it and try and listen for the putt to go in the hole. That’s going to allow you to really make good solid contact and it’s going to allow you to start the ball on your line a lot.
“A lot of stuff I see with amateurs is they’re looking too soon or coming up out of their posture and missing it right. If you watch the really good putters, they really make sure that they stay in their posture and listen for that ball to go in the hole.”
The moment that won it, for @BillyHo_Golf ✨#BMWPGA #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/sxW7jB3rsN
— BMW PGA Championship (@BMWPGA) September 23, 2024
On the longer putts the now World No. 17 explains that pace is absolutely crucial to avoid those unwanted three putts.
“Amateurs three-putt too often because their speed’s off. What they’ve got to do is feel it. If you’re looking at the hole, feel how hard you need to hit it. Make some practice strokes that way. Get that feeling in your hands, and just try and replicate that same stroke you just made right there. And it’s really important to dead weight.
“So just look at the hole, let your eyes tell you how hard you need to hit it. Get in there, try to replicate the stroke. That’s going to help your long putting a lot.”
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