Why did Billy Horschel skip $9M payday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship? Reason explored

Billy Horschel has decided to skip the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship despite sitting fourth in the season-long rankings. The 37-year-old golfer has chosen to bypass the DP World Tour's opening playoff event after a successful run in Europe.

Horschel finished T2 at The Open Championship and clinched a dramatic win at the BMW PGA Championship, beating Europe's No. 1 player Rory McIlroy in a playoff at Wentworth. Having delivered an upset to the World No.3 golfer, Horschel has taken leave from the entry list for this week's $9 million prized Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. It is pertinent to note that the World No.17’s last European appearance came at the Open De France in October.

Notably, the University of Florida graduate failed to make the cut in the competition played at Le Golf National. Following this, the PGA Tour regular announced his decision to take a month-long break from the European Tour.

Billy Horschel said via X:

“I enjoy coming over here (to Europe) a lot… I am very appreciative of the crowds, I am so amazed by all the support I get when I do come over here. It is surreal to me. I just want to say thanks to everyone for all the support and looking forward to a month off, a much-needed month off. I was a little mentally tired, starting Sunday at St Andrews, it hit me. I need a month off, work on the game a little bit, and recharge the batteries.”

It is pertinent to note that an appearance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this weekend would’ve enabled Horschel to chase down McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings. The Irishman currently leads the DP World Tour Championship table and is edging close to a sixth season-long title.

Billy Horschel’s season so far

Billy Horschel had a strong season in 2024. The American golfer began the new year with a T18 finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii. However, he failed to make the cut in his next two outings - The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open. He managed some good finishes including a T9 at the Cognizant Classic and a T12 at the Valspar Championship.

His PGA Tour season peaked with a win at the Corales Puntacana Championship, earning a $720,000 paycheck. He had a mixed majors season, finishing T8 at the PGA Championship, T41 at the US Open, and an impressive T2 at The Open championship. Meanwhile, he impressed on the DP World Tour, claiming victory at the BMW PGA Championship.

Listed below is the complete breakdown of Billy Horschel’s season so far and his earnings:

2024 PGA TOUR Tournaments

Sony Open in Hawaii - T18 - $106,102
The American Express - Missed Cut
Farmers Insurance Open - Missed Cut
WM Phoenix Open - T41 - $30,404
Cognizant Classic - T9 - $210,536
THE PLAYERS Championship - Missed Cut
Valspar Championship - T12 - $166,740
Texas Children's Houston Open - T7 - $276,413
Valero Texas Open - Missed Cut
Corales Puntacana Championship - 1 - $720,000
Wells Fargo Championship - T52 - $47,000
PGA Championship - T8 - $521,418
Charles Schwab Challenge - T24 - $70,866
the Memorial Tournament pres. by Workday - T15 - $329,000
U.S. Open - T41 - $72,305
Travelers Championship - T55 - $44,750
Genesis Scottish Open - Missed Cut
The Open - T2 - $1,443,500
Wyndham Championship - T7 - $249,245
FedEx St. Jude Championship - T10 - $520,000
BMW Championship - T22 - $229,000
TOUR Championship - T23

2023-24 DP World Tournaments

BMW PGA Championship - 1-x
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - Missed Cut
FedEx Open de France - Missed Cut

Billy Horschel is yet to announce his comeback to competitive events.