PGA Tour star Billy Horschel makes big Ralph Lauren announcement

Billy Horschel has been lauded a 'class act' by golf fans after announcing he will pledge $1,000 for every birdie he made on Tour in October as part of Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Campaign.

The Pink Pony Campaign is a worldwide initiative by Ralph Lauren against the fight against cancer, supporting programs for screening, early diagnosis, treatments, education and patient navigation.

Horschel, 37, has been a Ralph Lauren ambassador ever since 2011.

The American etched his name on the BMW PGA trophy for a second time in four years by taking down Rory McIlroy in a playoff at Wentworth last month.

Despite missing both cuts at the Dunhill Links and Open de France on the DP World Tour earlier this month, Horschel made 15 birdies in Scotland and six birdies in France.

That's a total of 21 birdies for October and $21,000 for the Pink Pony Campaign. 

Horschel took to his social media channels to confirm his $1k for every birdie in October announcement. 

'The Pink Pony Campaign is Ralph Lauren’s worldwide initiative in the fight again cancer, supporting programs for screening, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation,' tweeted Horschel.

'In support of the campaign, I am pledging $1,000 for every birdie I make during the month of October #PinkPony #RalphLauren'

Golf fans have praised Horschel after his latest announcement.

'Class act,' said one PGA Tour fan.

'Brilliant, well done Billy,' commented another.

'One of the good guys,' said one DP World Tour fan.

Another wrote: 'You are a real inspiration. Love what you do. Great seeing you you on DPWT. Please keep coming over the pond for many years.'

Horschel is not expected to tee it up on the DP World Tour or PGA Tour again this month. 

Horschel, who won the 2014 FedEx Cup, played the first round of the Dunhill Links alongside his playing partner Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour.

Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and his playing partner LIV Golf's Dean Burmester also joined them for the opening round at Carnoustie.

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The iconic DP World Tour event marked the first time that Monahan and Al-Rumayyan had been pictured in public playing golf together. 

Monahan and Al-Rumayyan were also joined by newly-promoted DP World Tour Guy Kinnings as talks continue to progress between all parties in a bid to help unify the professional game.

Horschel admitted ahead of the Dunhill Links that he 'still holds a few grudges' against some of the players that defected to LIV Golf, but that he now intends to put those ill feelings to one side in a bid to help bring the game back together again. 

Despite reaching 8-under par thru 54 holes, Horschel missed the cut ahead of the final round by one shot. 

LIV Golf's Tyrrell Hatton, who was recently let back onto the DP World Tour alongside Jon Rahm after appealing his fines for having joined the Saudi-backed circuit earlier this season, went on to win a record third Dunhill Links title. 

Horschel, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, then missed a second consecutive cut on the DP World Tour after rounds of 72 and 74 at Le Golf National.

As a result of Horschel's BMW PGA victory in Surrey last month, he currently looks on from third place in the season-long DP World Tour Rankings.

He finds himself over 2,000 points behind runaway leader Rory McIlroy though, as the Northern Irishman looks all-but assured of wrapping up a sixth Race to Dubai title at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next month. 

South Africa's Thriston Lawrence is some 1,500 points behind McIlroy in second. 

Should McIlroy go on to etch his name on a sixth Harry Vardon trophy, he will match the feat of late great Seve Ballesteros. 

Colin Montgomerie holds the record with eight. 

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