Texas golfer Beau Hossler to undergo surgery for torn labrum

The left shoulder that popped out of place four times on the final three holes of the NCAA Semifinals in Eugene last week will require Texas Longhorns golfer Beau Hossler to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum. An MRI exam earlier in the week confirmed the damage and Hossler will have surgery on Friday, then begin the four-month recovery process.

"I've got a good outlook about it," Hossler told GolfChannel.com on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm not down and out. It's disappointing that I have to take time off, because I was getting some good momentum and a nice summer schedule lined up, but at the same time I have full confidence that my shoulder will be better than it's ever been."

Hossler was not able to participate in the NCAA Finals after sustaining the injury, leaving the 'Horns short-handed before losing to the Oregon Ducks, 3-2, with the point forfeited by Hossler making up the difference.

Texas head coach John Fields told the Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday morning that Hossler is still deciding whether he should turn pro after he recovers. He had been planning on using a sponsor exemption to play in the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis this week, but will obviously be unable to participate.

"In the long-term, I'm not worried at all," he told GolfChannel.com. "Short-term, I'm not going to close the chapter on a college or amateur career because I want to feel comfortable and be ready to play my best when the time comes for a pro career."

With the four golfers that participated in the finals all possessing remaining eligibility and expected to return, the Longhorns should be one of the favorites to to capture the national title that proved elusive in 2016 due to Hossler's injury regardless of whether the team's superstar returns. If he does, which is still unlikely, Texas would likely be the prohibitive favorite.

On Tuesday, Hossler won the Fred Haskins award as the nation's most outstanding collegiate golfer, as chosen by peers, coaches, and media, following a season that saw him collect five wins, the third most in a single season at Texas. He is now the fifth Longhorns golfer to win the award, and the first since 1997.