Billy Horschel | The Open

On Saturday, he played in the driving rain in a short-sleeved shirt. The fire and desire to win a first major burning brightly enough to keep him warm.

He and playing partner Justin Rose were evenly-matched; similar builds, dress, caps on backwards, and a penchant for people-pleasing. 

And how did Horschel entertain. 

A 32-foot putt for birdie on the 7th pushed Horschel to three from the lead, and he kept climbing as others dropped back. 

A first bogey on the 11th hole, which was the hardest of the round, did not halt him as he mastered the greens on moving day. 

In the sand, there was a similar story as he pulled off great escape after great escape. 

A satisfying save on 13 was followed by a tight angle in the bunker at the par-3 14th, where he chipped himself out of trouble. On the 16th, he did the same.

The crowds could not believe how well he played an almost impossible shot. Horschel could not believe he had not holed it. 

That is the mark of a champion. Another is that while he so desperately wants to win on Sunday, he is making sure to remind himself that whatever happens, the chances will come again. 

“I’ve learned a lot about the game of golf playing 15 years professionally. I think I’ve learned how to handle my emotions,” he said. 

“I’ve learned how to embrace a lot of things. I’m never afraid to fail. I think I hate when I don’t do well and I get criticism from outside, and I’m letting those criticisms affect my vision of myself. 

“I think, if it’s my time tomorrow, it’s my time, and I’m going to be ecstatic. If it’s not, then we’ll get on the horse again, and we’ll work hard to get back in that position.”