Tour pro "wouldn't have a problem" skipping major for a win at Byron Nelson

A PGA Tour pro said he "wouldn't have a problem" skipping the PGA Championship if he won the PGA Tour event this week.

12 May 2023

Texas resident Ryan Palmer says he "wouldn't have a problem" staying home and missing next week's PGA Championship if he won on the PGA Tour at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

Palmer, 46, shot rounds of 64 and 65 through 36 holes at TPC Craig Ranch and was one-stroke back of leader Scottie Scheffler as the latter wave began their rounds.

Scheffler, the World No. 2, is also a fellow Texan, and has been able to sleep from home this week for the tournament.

The 26-year-old may have the luxury of sleeping in his own bed, but he didn't have the luxury of doing so very long on Friday.

The former Masters champion told reporters that he was up long before the sun for his 7:34 a.m. local tee time for the second round.

But despite the early wake-up call, Scheffler was still able to put on an incredible performance at TPC Craig Ranch, shooting another 64 for the early 36-hole lead at 14-under par.

He told reporters:

"Yeah, didn't hurt me. I woke up ready to go. Usually if I was waking up at 4:20 on a regular Monday after a tournament, I definitely wouldn't be in a good mood, but when you're waking up to come play a golf tournament, it's a little bit of a different feeling."

On Thursday, Scheffler made two eagles during his round. He made his second one at the par-5 18th after draining his 14-footer.

On Friday, he made eight birdies and just one bogey en route to a second 7-under par 64.

He was also asked following his second round about whether or not he put an extra emphasis on winning the Byron Nelson specifically, as the tournament is so close to home.

But Scheffler didn't appear to be too worried about the matter:

"Yeah, I want to win a lot of tournaments. This one being in the hometown, it would definitely be a lot of fun with the crowd behind me this weekend.

"But that's not stuff that occupies too many of my thoughts. I don't want to place too many emphasis on one tournament. I just want to go out and do my best and see where that puts me."

Palmer, on the other hand, had a very different response to his fellow Texan.

He's not currently eligible for the PGA Championship next week in Rochester, New York, but would be with a win this week at the Byron Nelson.

And he was asked whether a win this week in Texas or qualifying for the PGA Championship next week would mean more:

"I'd win this tournament and stay home next week, to be honest with you. That means more to me. If I get in next week, great, but winning on Tour, it's the hardest thing to do. But winning at home, winning in town, winning in front of the Salesmanship Club here in Dallas, my family, I mean, it's that one next stop toward 70 to get to the Playoffs this year.

"Yeah, I wouldn't have a problem winning and staying home and celebrating."

S.Y. Noh, who shot an incredible 60 on Thursday was in the later wave on Friday and was even par mid-way through his round.

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