Billy Horschel makes improbable birdie after left-handed shot

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:49 PM CDT Sunday, Mar. 23, 2025

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Billy Horschel hit a 9-iron from near the base of a tree high in the air and onto the green, just like anyone would expect from a PGA Tour player.

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PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Billy Horschel hit a 9-iron from near the base of a tree high in the air and onto the green, just like anyone would expect from a PGA Tour player.

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This article was published 23/03/2025 (536 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Billy Horschel hit a 9-iron from near the base of a tree high in the air and onto the green, just like anyone would expect from a PGA Tour player.

Except he hit this shot left-handed.

Horschel delivered a most improbable birdie Sunday in the Valspar Championship when he inverted a 9-iron and hit what otherwise looked to be a normal shot on the par-5 fifth hole. Even sweeter was capping it off by making a 30-foot putt.

Billy Horschel hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Horschel wound up in a tie for fourth.

His theatrics began when he pulled a 3-iron and the ball settled just to the right of a large pine.

“There was no way to hit it but lefty,” Horschel said. “I grabbed a 9-iron hoping it wouldn’t go too far, and I was just hoping to get it up in the air and go straight.”

He also required some gallery control — specifically his young son.

“The funny thing was my little boy was about 50 yards in front of me just to the left on the cart path sitting down, and I had to yell at him to sort of get out of the way because I didn’t know exactly where this thing could go,” Horschel said. “Last thing I need to do is call my wife and tell her I just hit my son with a golf ball.

“Listen, it was a hit-and-hope shot and I pulled it off and to make the putt … I mean, funny things happen like that.”

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf