Wednesday 22 April 2015 22:49, UK
FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel believes his game is close to being back to its best ahead of this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The American, a former champion at TPC Louisiana, tees off on Thursday alongside Pebble Beach runner-up Nick Watney and former PGA Champion David Toms, looking for an upturn in form to end a drought of top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.
A third place finish in Texas last month has been the highlight of what has been an otherwise disappointing start to the season for the 28-year-old, who has failed to post a top-20 finish in any of the other 10 tournaments he has featured in during 2015.
“The season hasn't gone the way I would have liked,” Horschel admitted. “Maybe a touch better than last year, but the results haven't been there, but I feel like I'm playing some pretty good golf.
“I haven't been making some putts and wasting shots here and there. So when you're not making anything and you're wasting some shots, it sort of kills the round of golf.
“But I feel like my game is really close. I feel like if I get some putts to fall I'm going to start playing some great golf. I just need to see something go in the hole, and if that happens, I think it's going to be some pretty special golf ahead.”
Challengers
Among those joining Horschel in New Orleans this week include Masters runner-up Justin Rose, who has posted a top-15 finish in each of his last three starts at TPC Louisiana, Dustin Johnson, who has made five top-six finishes on the PGA Tour in recent weeks, and Farmers Insurance Open champion Jason Day.
Rose has been grouped alongside American duo Keegan Bradley and Steve Stricker for the first two rounds, with Stricker making only his second appearance on the tour since undergoing back surgery in December.
“It was good just to make the weekend at Augusta, play four rounds and get a couple of competitive rounds under my belt,” Stricker said. “My game feels okay. I'm excited, fresh, I'm ready to play and hopefully have a good week.
“Even though it's only my second event, I have high expectations of what I can do and what I should do. So I come here thinking that I can play well, but deep down I know it's a process and I've got some work to do.”
Watch the Zurich Classic of New Orleans live from April 23-26 live on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.
