Golf rivalries are often forged in the heat of competition, and as day two of the BMW PGA Championship unfolds, Billy Horschel is ready to add another chapter to his story. After round three, Horschel found himself tied with Rory McIlroy at 15 under, both eyeing the coveted title. But as he navigates the fairways, a past encounter with the Northern Irishman lingers in his mind—a moment that forever changed his perspective on his fierce competitor.

Flashback to 2007 at the Walker Cup, where a young Horschel, partnered with Rickie Fowler, first locked horns with McIlroy at Royal County Down. The tension was palpable. After a shaky start, Horschel and Fowler clawed their way back from four down after just four holes, tying the match by the turn. Ultimately, they defeated McIlroy and his partner Jonny Caldwell, 2-1. “That was the second time I beat Rory,” Horschel recalled with a hint of pride.

Horschel, now an 8-time PGA Tour winner, went on to best McIlroy again in singles the following day. But it was a singular moment on the first green at Royal County Down that left an indelible mark. With Horschel lining up an eight-foot birdie putt, McIlroy drained a 12-footer with effortless precision. The sight of McIlroy’s birdie putt sinking into the hole, followed by a roar of elation, is a memory that still stands out in Horschel’s mind—a reminder of the fire McIlroy brings to every competition.

The 37-year-old recalled at the 2024 Irish Open media day, “I can remember a lot of shots I hit. I remember a lot of the moments. The one that stuck out to me shows the type of player he was and the ability that he had.” He further added, “I had eight feet for birdie, he made his putt and gave it a massive fist pump and screamed ‘let’s go’, it may have been ‘let’s f***ing go’. 

The American then chuckled, saying, “If it was me it would have been ‘let’s f***ing go’”. That instant revealed the depth of McIlroy’s passion and conviction. “I knew at that point it was going to be a tough match and I felt like I was not winning that day, he was going to get the best of me and do what he could to win. That was one moment.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong to assume, given what Rory McIlroy has achieved since their Walker Cup encounter.

Billy Horschel admires Rory McIlroy’s unrelenting pursuit of greatness

Three years after their meet, 21-year-old McIlroy proved his mettle, clinching the 2011 U.S. Open. And the next year was also amazing when he clinched his second major, the PGA Championship. Highlighting the unpredictability of success in golf Horschel noted, “But you never know how someone is going to pan out. To see what he’s accomplished in the game of golf, to see the person he’s developed into and become. It’s truly amazing. He’s a really good friend. I’m happy I can call him a great friend.” 

McIlroy’s trajectory, however, has been nothing short of phenomenal. Additionally, endorsing the 4-times-major winner’s consistent dominance and talent, Horschel notes, “He’s the greatest player in our generation that over the last 15-16 years I’ve been on the PGA TOUR, he’s the greatest player of our time.” He also finds it a privilege to compete against Rory McIlroy. As he puts it, “It’s nice to be able to play against someone of that caliber and compete and have a friendship with him.”

Billy and Rory’s rivalry has pushed both golfers to excel, forging an enduring bond between them. What do you think of this chance encounter turned into friendship? Share with us in the comments section below.