Ryan Palmer is playing with new perspective

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Ryan Palmer’s first two rounds at The Honda Classic have provided good news for a family that has endured trying times. Palmer holds the 36-hole lead after shooting 66-65 at PGA National. Palmer’s wife Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in July. He stayed home for the final 3 ½ months of the year to care for their two children – Mason, 10, and Madelyn, 7 — while Jennifer underwent treatment. This is his sixth start since returning to work in January. He’s struggled in 2017, missing his first four cuts, but golf has provided a respite. “When you get inside the ropes, everything kind of goes away. You enjoy those four or five hours,” Ryan said. “It helps make golf less aggravating at times. You realize it’s just a game we’re playing.” Jennifer had surgery about a month after the diagnosis. She received chemotherapy late last year, and he anticipates her completing treatment in August. “Things are clear and she’s doing awesome,” Ryan said. The Palmers have received support from their PGA TOUR peers who have faced the same disease. Lisa Cink, the wife of Stewart Cink, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Ryan also spoke with Phil Mickelson, whose wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, at last year’s PGA Championship. The Sony Open in Hawaii was Ryan’s first start since he finished fourth at September’s BMW Championship. He thought he was prepared to compete, but struggled with anxiety on the greens after such a lengthy layoff. “On the greens, all hell broke loose,” he said. He fixed things last week by working instructor Dave Stockton and switching putters, to the TaylorMade Spider. The changes resulted in his first made cut of 2017, a 49th-place finish at the Genesis Open. He played Riviera for the first time in four years because he was desperate to turn his game around. “I finished 49th, but I felt like it was the best putting I’ve done in a year-and-a-half, and it’s carried over to this week,” he said. Entering The Honda Classic, he ranked ahead of just two players in the strokes gained: putting statistic. The statistic says he’s putting slightly better than the average TOUR player this week, but that’s enough to get Ryan, who’s known for a consistent draw that makes him a strong ball-striker, into contention. PGA National’s penal layout also helps Palmer. The Champion Course was the second-toughest, non-major venue in 2016. A plethora of water hazards, including the treacherous trio of holes known as the Bear Trap, can cause penalty strokes to add up in a hurry. “You have to drive the ball well and you have to hit your irons well. It’s been my strength the last few years,” Ryan said. “You don’t have to shoot 7 under par each day. If you break par on this golf course, you’re going to be in contention on the weekend.” He’s made 13 birdies this week against just four bogeys. He ranks fifth in strokes gained: off-the-tee and second in strokes gained: approach this week, hitting 29 of 36 greens. Friday’s 65 included a 43-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th, his fourth hole of the day, and a tee shot to 2 feet on the 205-yard, par-3 fifth hole. Palmer was runner-up here three years ago. Sitting five shots off the lead entering the final round, he was the only player in the last six groups to break par. He missed several chances to win the tournament, though. He missed putts inside 8 feet on the final five holes, including a 5-foot par putt on the par-5 18th that would’ve given him the title. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt in the playoff. His wife’s health isn’t the only reason this is an emotional week for Palmer. Thursday would have been the 73rd birthday of Ryan’s father Butch, who was killed in a 2015 car accident. Ryan learned the game from his father. “It’s been a couple years, but I miss him every day,” Ryan said. Winning a golf tournament can’t fix what he’s endured, but he’s happy to return to the top of the leaderboard.

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