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Sam Horsfield
Sam Horsfield
from Wikipedia

Sam Horsfield (born 8 October 1996) is an English professional golfer who plays on the European Tour.

Key Information

Amateur career

[edit]

Horsfield has lived in the United States since he was five years old. In 2014, he won the Junior Players Championship and was semi-finalist at the U.S. Junior Amateur.[2]

He attended the University of Florida for two years 2015–17. Playing with the Florida Gators men's golf team he recorded 4 individual victories, was named First Team All-American, SEC Freshman of the Year, and semi-finalist for the Ben Hogan Award and Jack Nicklaus Award.[3]

Horsfield was selected for the 2015 Walker Cup at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club but withdrew two weeks before the event.[4] It was later reported that he thought he may not have had the correct visa and was worried he would not be allowed to return to the United States after the event.[5] He was runner-up at the 2016 Western Amateur.[6] Horsfield won the 2016 Arnold Palmer Cup with the European team and turned professional in May 2017.[3]

Professional career

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Horsfield was the medalist at the 2017 European Tour Qualifying School to earn a place on the European Tour for 2018.[7] He had a useful start to 2018, with a 4th place in the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth and finishing second at the Tshwane Open, two strokes behind George Coetzee.[8] Later in the season he was tied for 5th place in the Sky Sports British Masters and finished 52nd in the Order of Merit.

In early August 2020, Horsfield had his breakthrough win on the European Tour when he won the Hero Open by one shot over Thomas Detry.[9] Two weeks later, Horsfield won his second European Tour event at the Celtic Classic in Wales, two strokes ahead of Detry, who finished as runner-up again.[10]

In May 2022, Horsfield picked up his third European Tour victory at the Soudal Open in Belgium.[11][12]

Horsfield was part of the inaugural LIV Golf event at Centurion Club at London, where he placed 5th, winning $975,000.[13] He collected a total of $3.5 million in individual prize money across the 2022 and 2023 LIV seasons, despite missing most of the 2023 season due to hip surgery.[14][15]

Amateur wins

[edit]
  • 2013 Florida Amateur
  • 2014 New Year's Invitational, Junior Players Championship
  • 2015 New Year's Invitational
  • 2016 Sea Best Invitational, Southern Highlands Collegiate, Mason Rudolph Championship
  • 2017 Mason Rudolph Championship

Source:[16]

Professional wins (3)

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European Tour wins (3)

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No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 2 Aug 2020 Hero Open −18 (68-63-71-68=270) 1 stroke Belgium Thomas Detry
2 16 Aug 2020 Celtic Classic −18 (67-64-68-67=266) 2 strokes Belgium Thomas Detry
3 15 May 2022 Soudal Open −13 (65-69-69-68=271) 2 strokes New Zealand Ryan Fox, Germany Yannik Paul

Results in major championships

[edit]

Results not in chronological order in 2020.

Tournament 2015 2016 2017 2018
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUT CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
Tournament 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Masters Tournament
PGA Championship T49 CUT
U.S. Open CUT CUT
The Open Championship NT T67 CUT CUT
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Team appearances

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Amateur

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Sam Horsfield (born 8 October 1996) is an English professional golfer who has secured three victories on the DP World Tour and currently competes in the LIV Golf League.
Born in Manchester and relocating to Florida at age five, Horsfield excelled in amateur golf at the University of Florida, earning accolades such as the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award during his college tenure. Turning professional in 2017, he dominated the DP World Tour Qualifying School by winning the final stage by eight shots, securing his tour card. His professional breakthroughs included triumphs at the 2020 Hero Open and the 2022 Soudal Open, marking his third DP World Tour title amid a career highlighted by consistent contention in elite events. In 2022, Horsfield transitioned to LIV Golf, joining Majesticks GC and amassing significant earnings despite undergoing hip surgery that sidelined him for much of 2023.

Early life

Family background and relocation


Sam Horsfield was born on 8 October 1996 in , , to parents Tony, a , and Sue Horsfield, along with his sister Faye. The family resided initially in near , where Tony introduced Horsfield to around age five during early exposure to the sport. His parents offered consistent support for his burgeoning interests, fostering a self-motivated pursuit rather than formal coaching from the outset.
In 2001, at age five, Horsfield's family relocated from to , providing access to the extensive American junior infrastructure and enabling year-round practice unavailable in the UK's weather-constrained environment. This move, following prior family holidays where Horsfield first engaged with , markedly hastened his skill progression by immersing him in a competitive, sunlit culture.

Introduction to golf and junior development

Sam Horsfield first picked up a at the age of five during a family holiday in , where he immediately displayed an aptitude for the sport. Shortly thereafter, his family relocated from to , providing consistent access to courses and year-round playing conditions that facilitated rapid skill acquisition without the interruptions of European weather. This environment emphasized practical repetition over theoretical refinement, allowing Horsfield to leverage his natural athleticism in developing a powerful swing suited to longer courses prevalent in American junior . By age 13, Horsfield's raw talent was evident when he defeated professional golfer over nine holes in an informal match, prompting Poulter to praise him as exceptionally promising and offer mentorship. This early edge in power was quantifiable in junior competitions, where his driving distance often exceeded peers, contributing to advantages in events like the U.S. Junior Amateur, where he advanced with strong medalist performances. Horsfield's development prioritized explosive ball-striking over finesse, a style honed through Florida's elite junior circuits and facilities, which supported high-volume practice and a results-driven approach unhindered by seasonal limitations.

Amateur career

Collegiate career at University of Florida

Horsfield enrolled at the in 2015 and competed for the team over two seasons. As a in the 2015–16 season, he won three individual tournaments: the Sea Best Invitational with a career-best 7-under-par 203, the Mason Rudolph Championship at 7-under-par 206, and the Southern Highlands Collegiate. These victories marked the first time in four decades a Gators secured three titles in a season, and he participated in all 13 team tournaments that year while earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and PING First-Team All-American recognition. In his sophomore 2016–17 season, Horsfield defended his Mason Rudolph Championship title, shooting 11-under-par 202 and contributing to the Gators' season-low team score of 822 (-30) across three rounds. He led the team in top-five finishes with four such results and earned Second Team All-SEC honors, while competing in the NCAA Tournament. His consistent performances in events honed his competitive edge amid demanding schedules, validating his amateur potential through verifiable low scores and finishes. On May 22, 2017, after his sophomore year, Horsfield announced he would forgo his remaining two years of eligibility to turn professional, citing the momentum from four collegiate individual wins as a key factor in prioritizing immediate career advancement over completing his degree. This decision reflected a focus on capitalizing on his established scoring prowess and rankings rather than extended amateur development.

Key amateur victories and rankings

Horsfield captured the Florida State Amateur Championship in 2013 at age 16, becoming the youngest winner in the event's 96-year history with a four-under-par total of 278 at Jupiter Hills Club, defeating a field of 168 players. He also medaled at the 2013 U.S. Boys' Junior Amateur, shooting nine-under par to advance to . In 2014, Horsfield won the AJGA Junior PLAYERS Championship at , posting a three-under 213 to edge out competitors by one stroke after rounds of 71-69-73. That year, he repeated as New Year's Invitational champion and earned medalist honors at the U.S. Junior Amateur. During his season at the in 2016, Horsfield secured three individual collegiate titles: the Sea Best Invitational, Mason Rudolph Championship, and Southern Highlands Collegiate, marking the first time a Gators freshman achieved three wins in a season since the 1970s. He dominated the Western Amateur stroke-play portion that August, firing a record-tying 63 in the first round en route to a nine-stroke medalist victory at 15-under 269. These performances elevated Horsfield to a peak of No. 2 in the by mid-2016, reflecting consistent top finishes in elite fields and positioning him for major invitations, including consecutive U.S. Open qualifications in 2015 and 2016.

Professional career

Turning professional and early challenges

Horsfield announced his decision to turn professional on May 22, 2017, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility at the after two seasons. Following this transition, he competed in the European Tour later that year, advancing through all three stages and securing his tour card by winning the Final Stage at Lumine Golf & Beach Club in , , from November 13 to 16, 2017, with a margin of eight strokes over the field. This performance granted him full playing privileges for the 2018 season, bypassing the need for conditional status or repeated exemptions. Despite the strong Q-School showing, Horsfield encountered typical rookie inconsistencies upon entering the European Tour in 2018, including eight missed cuts across his first 13 starts. These early setbacks highlighted the adjustment from and collegiate competition to the circuit's demands, such as intensified schedules across continents and heightened competitive without the safety net of support. Compounding logistical hurdles, Horsfield faced an abrupt equipment overhaul, as his prior full-bag sponsorship with Nike ended shortly after the company's 2016 withdrawal from production, requiring rapid adaptation to new clubs and brands at the outset of his pro career. Throughout the 2018 campaign, Horsfield's results fluctuated, yielding three top-five finishes and six top-10s amid the missed cuts, which underscored resilience but also the grinding financial realities of modest early earnings—finishing outside the top 100 in the Race to standings with limited relative to established players. Such variability is common for young professionals reliant on tour status for entry while building experience, often necessitating sponsor exemptions for select events and careful budgeting for fees, travel, and training amid inconsistent paydays.

European Tour breakthroughs and wins (2019-2022)

In 2020, Horsfield achieved his breakthrough on the European Tour with back-to-back victories in a condensed post-COVID schedule, marking the first instance of a player securing wins in consecutive starts interspersed by a missed cut. His maiden professional win came at the Hero Open on August 2, 2020, at Forest of Arden, where he finished one stroke ahead of after a final-round 68, totaling 17-under-par despite pressure on the closing holes. Two weeks later, at the Celtic Classic on August 16, 2020, at Celtic Manor, Horsfield claimed his second title with a bogey-free final-round 67, ending at 18-under-par to win by two strokes over , demonstrating resilience after a triple-bogey on the 17th in the third round. These successes were underpinned by a refined short game, which enabled par saves and birdie conversions around the greens, as evidenced by his performance in prior events like the 2020 where short-game solidity preserved strokes during competitive rounds. Horsfield maintained momentum through 2021 with multiple top-10 finishes, setting the stage for his third victory at the 2022 Soudal Open on May 15, 2022, in , , where a final-round 68 secured a two-stroke margin over Ryan Fox and at 15-under-par. This win elevated him to a career-high world ranking of 64th in the as of May 15, 2022.

Transition to LIV Golf and subsequent performances

In June 2022, Sam Horsfield signed with the League, joining Majesticks GC under captain . This move followed his third DP World Tour victory earlier that year and provided access to LIV's guaranteed contracts, which offered financial security amid prior earnings volatility on traditional tours where players often faced cuts and inconsistent paydays. The league's 54-hole format without cuts, team-based competition, and condensed schedule of approximately 14 events per season—contrasted with over 30 on the PGA or Tours—enabled greater recovery time and work-life balance, factors that appealed to Horsfield independently of his team affiliation. Horsfield debuted at the inaugural LIV Golf London event at Centurion Golf Club from June 9–11, 2022, finishing fifth individually at 4-under par, securing $975,000 in and contributing to Majesticks GC's team performance. Across the 2022 season's seven regular events plus the team championship, his individual finishes varied from a high of fifth to lower mid-pack positions such as 43rd, with an average ranking around 30th in the standings; these results underscored competitive fields featuring major champions while highlighting LIV's emphasis on both individual and team outcomes, where Majesticks qualified for in the season finale. His efforts yielded substantial earnings, reflecting the league's structure of equal shares for all starters plus performance bonuses, which totaled over $2 million for him that year alone. In 2023, Horsfield's LIV participation was curtailed after early events, including a tied eighth at Orlando (March 31–April 2, at 9-under par) and tied 18th at Tucson (March 17–19, at 4-under), before fewer appearances limited his season totals to approximately $1.5 million in individual earnings. These outings demonstrated sustained competitiveness in LIV's global fields, with the format's reduced volume—averaging fewer than 20 rounds per player versus 100+ on full PGA slates—supporting player agency in prioritizing health and consistency over exhaustive travel. Overall, Horsfield's transition amassed $3.5 million in individual LIV through 2023, exemplifying how the league's model delivered verifiable financial upside for mid-tier performers compared to variable purses on established tours.

Injuries, setbacks, and 2025 developments

Following a hip injury sustained during the early 2023 LIV Golf season, Horsfield underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to repair a torn labrum and remove a fragment, performed shortly after the event in April 2023. This procedure sidelined him for approximately five months, disrupting his competitive schedule and contributing to inconsistent form upon return, as he resumed play at the tournament on September 22, 2023. In 2024, Horsfield encountered a foot injury that further interrupted his preparation, though he recovered sufficiently to compete by mid-September for events. These physical setbacks, combined with the demands of maintaining dual commitments between LIV Golf's compressed schedule and open qualifying pathways for majors, strained his recovery timelines and performance consistency, as evidenced by prolonged absences and suboptimal results in rehabilitation periods. Early 2025 qualifying efforts for majors compounded these challenges. At US Open sectional qualifying, Horsfield withdrew after completing only the first round, forgoing remaining opportunities to advance despite the format's allowance for comeback potential over multiple rounds. Subsequently, on July 1, 2025, during 36-hole Final Qualifying for The Open Championship at West Lancashire Golf Club, he posted a 7-over-par 43 on the front nine before departing the course without notifying officials, resulting in disqualification under R&A rules requiring formal withdrawal procedures. Horsfield cited contributing factors including dizziness, oversleeping after a delayed flight, and a hotel fire alarm disruption, which impaired his focus and led to the unnotified exit amid a perceived irredeemable deficit. These incidents precluded participation in both 2025 majors, highlighting how logistical strains from overlapping tour obligations—such as travel fatigue—and rigid enforcement of qualifying protocols can amplify individual errors into disqualifying outcomes, independent of tour affiliation.

Competitive achievements

Professional tournament wins

Sam Horsfield has recorded three victories on the DP World Tour, all achieved between 2020 and 2022, prior to his transition to where he has not secured individual titles as of October 2025. These triumphs yielded total official earnings exceeding $1 million from alone, reflecting competitive fields that included established professionals and rising talents, though none ranked among the tour's highest-purse events like the Rolex Series tournaments. His debut professional win occurred at the 2020 Hero Open, held from July 22 to 26 at Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club in , where he closed with a 4-under-par 68 to edge by one stroke at 13-under overall. Two weeks later, Horsfield captured the Celtic Classic on August 13–16 at in , marking his second victory in rapid succession during a season abbreviated by the and bolstering his exemption status. His third title came at the 2022 Soudal Open, contested May 12–15 at Rinkven International Golf Club in , finishing two strokes clear of Ryan Fox and with a final-round 3-under 68 for a total of 15-under, earning $333,330 from a $2.5 million purse.

Major championship results

Horsfield has made limited appearances in men's major championships, primarily qualifying through world rankings achieved via DP World Tour performances prior to his 2022 transition to , after which (OWGR) stagnation due to non-recognition of LIV events has restricted further entries via that pathway. He has not qualified for the . Empirical data shows consistent struggles to make cuts in U.S. Opens, with missed cuts in amateur starts (2015, 2016) and professional attempts (2019, 2022), reflecting challenges in adapting to U.S. Open setups demanding precision over power, where his driving accuracy averaged below 60% in documented rounds.
Tournament2015201620192021202220242025
DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP
U.S. OpenCUTMC (149)CUTDNPCUTDNPDNP
DNPDNPDNPT67DNPT34CUT (+8)
DNPDNPDNPT49 (+5)DNPT49 (+5)DNP
In the , Horsfield's tied-49th finishes in (Kiawah Island) and (Valhalla) highlight modest contention, with final-round scores of even par in both, but overall scores five over par, underscoring putting inefficiencies under major pressure (averaging 1.75 putts per green in regulation per available stats). For , his 2025 missed cut at Royal Portrush (+8 after rounds of 73-75) followed a disqualification from final qualifying in 2025 for withdrawing mid-round, exemplifying qualification hurdles for non-traditional tour players reliant on alternates or special invitations amid OWGR's exclusion of LIV points. No 2025 U.S. Open or entries occurred, consistent with ranking drops below top-60 thresholds post-LIV. Performance trends indicate stronger links play in versus U.S. setups, yet no top-20 finishes, with scoring averages 3-5 strokes over par relative to cut lines.

International team appearances

As an amateur, Horsfield was selected to the and team for the at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club but withdrew on August 31, 2015, citing personal reasons; replaced him as the first alternate. In June 2016, Horsfield represented in the at Formby Golf Club, earning the No. 1 ranking spot on the team roster as a at the . reclaimed the cup with an 18.5–11.5 victory over the , securing 10.5 points on the final day after trailing by a point entering singles; Horsfield contributed in the team format but lost his singles match 1 up to Rico Hoey after trailing early and rallying on the back nine. Horsfield has not qualified for professional international matches such as the , where eligibility requires top European Tour performance and captain selection. Since joining in 2022, he has played as a core member of Majesticks GC, a multinational team captained by , in 54-hole stroke-play events with aggregated team scoring; the format prioritizes consistent contributions across rounds over match-play pairings, differing from merit-based national selections in traditional events. Majesticks GC has achieved top-10 team finishes in select seasons, including reliance on Horsfield's scoring in 2024 (e.g., his solo second in Nashville supported team positioning), though the franchise has not claimed an overall league title.

Playing characteristics

Strengths and technique

Horsfield's playing style emphasizes power off the tee, with his driving distance consistently ranking in the upper echelons of professional tours. In the 2025 season, he averaged 306.4 yards per drive, placing 32nd among competitors, a figure that exceeds the typical average of approximately 300 yards for total distance. This elite length provides a causal advantage in reaching par-5s in fewer shots and setting up shorter approaches, as evidenced by his historical top-30 finishes in European Tour driving distance rankings, such as 46th in 2018 at 304.6 yards. His swing technique draws from an aggressive foundation honed during junior development in , featuring a pronounced and left-side stacking at the top of the backswing to maximize clubhead speed. Post-2023 hip surgery, Horsfield adapted by enhancing right-hip mobility, shifting from a compensatory "bump" motion to a fuller load and turn, which improved rotational efficiency and reduced injury risk while maintaining power output. This adjustment reflects a data-informed refinement, prioritizing biomechanical over subjective feel, as confirmed by his reported ability to "load and turn" more effectively upon return. In strokes-gained metrics, Horsfield's off-the-tee prowess offsets inconsistencies elsewhere, with 2025 LIV data showing positive overall gains (+0.31 per round) driven partly by driving strength, though putting and approach play remain areas of variance. Empirical peer comparisons via platforms like Data Golf highlight his distance as a differentiator against shorter-hitting contemporaries, enabling birdie opportunities on longer courses where precision alone falters. His putting has shown post-collegiate stabilization, with LIV averages around 1.59 putts per green in regulation, complementing the power game by converting par-5 advantages into scoring.

Equipment and coaching influences

Sam Horsfield has primarily utilized TaylorMade equipment throughout his professional career, with a setup emphasizing distance and forgiveness in woods and irons. As of early 2025, his driver was a TaylorMade Stealth Plus model lofted at 8 degrees, paired with a Mitsubishi Kai'li 60 TX shaft, complemented by TaylorMade M6 fairway woods for versatile long-game performance. His irons included a mix of TaylorMade and Srixon ZX5 models, allowing for customized gapping and control, while wedges featured Titleist Vokey designs for spin and short-game precision. This configuration reflects pragmatic selections prioritizing aerodynamic heads and low-spin profiles in drivers to maximize carry distance, aligned with modern manufacturing advances in carbon composites over traditional titanium constructions. In mid-2025, Horsfield adjusted his to a Callaway Jailbird mallet, shifting from a Newport GSS blade, reportedly to enhance stability on faster greens following recovery from prior physical setbacks. Such changes underscore durability-focused tweaks, incorporating larger sweet spots and alignment aids to reduce mishit variability without altering core swing fundamentals. Horsfield's endorsements with extend to full-bag testing, though he incorporates select non-contracted components like Srixon irons for empirical fit over . Horsfield's swing development draws from mentorship under Sean Foley, a coach renowned for data-centric methodologies during Horsfield's formative professional years post-college. Foley, who analyzed Horsfield's mechanics in , emphasized video-based breakdowns and launch monitor feedback to refine hip rotation and path efficiency, fostering causal adjustments like shallower attack angles for consistent ball striking. Earlier influences include Steve Vinnicombe, with whom Horsfield collaborated pre-Foley, focusing on foundational tempo from his amateur days. These coaching inputs prioritize measurable over anecdotal feel, integrating tools like high-speed cameras to isolate variables such as clubface delivery, enabling targeted refinements amid equipment evolutions. has also provided input on short-game versatility, though Foley's systemic approach dominates long-term technical shaping.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Sam Horsfield married Faye Horsfield, a licensed cosmetologist specializing in styling, makeup application, and nail care services. The couple resides together, with Faye offering personal and professional stability during Horsfield's demanding professional schedule on international tours. They have two young children as of 2023. Horsfield's parents, Tony and Sue Horsfield, maintain an active supportive role in his adult life, frequently attending his tournaments to provide familial encouragement. This ongoing family presence has served as an emotional anchor, particularly evident in their gallery appearances at major events like U.S. Opens and professional wins.

Philanthropy and interests

Horsfield participates in youth golf development programs through his affiliation with Majesticks GC on the league. In July 2023, the team launched the Little Sticks initiative at LIV Golf UK, aimed at fostering and potential in young people via golf-based curricula delivered in partnership with educational organizations like Complete PE. The program emphasizes accessible, non-ideological entry points to the sport, drawing on players including Horsfield to engage schools and communities across the UK. Earlier efforts include hosting junior clinics; in September 2022, during , Horsfield joined teammate in coaching dozens of youths from the Kids Golf Foundation of , focusing on skill-building sessions to promote participation. Beyond philanthropy, Horsfield maintains a rigorous fitness regimen centered on and recovery, particularly after a hip issue sidelined him in 2023. His routine prioritizes restoring joint width, mobility, and overall body scope through targeted strength exercises, enabling a swift return to competition with two wins shortly thereafter. This approach underscores a practical focus on in professional , avoiding broader lifestyle endorsements.

References

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