FORE Play: Get to know Ryan Palmer

Who's Playing This Week

Ryan Palmer

Bronson Burgoon

Where Are They Playing

The Honda Classic - The Champions Course at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Catch the television coverage as follows:

Thur-Fri: 1:00-5:00 pm CST on Golf Channel w/ replay from 6:00-10:00 pm each night

Sat-Sun: 2:00-5:00 pm CST on NBC

Both Aggies playing this week tee off late in the day on Thursday (and early on Friday), so you're best chance to see them in action on TV will be the Thursday round coverage, and then hopefully more on the weekend.

Player Spotlight

This week let's feature the most well known Aggie playing on Tour these days, Ryan Palmer.  Ryan grew up in Amarillo, and after an impressive high school golf career, he was given a scholarship to play at UNT.  After placing top 15 in several tournaments, and winning the conference championship as a freshman, Ryan was given the opportunity to transfer and play at Texas A&M, his favorite school growing up.  Ryan played for three years at A&M, and during that time was voted onto the All Big 12 team all three years, while winning two tournaments.

After graduating from A&M in 2000, Ryan decided to take on the professional golf tours.  He worked his way up playing on the Tightlies Tour, the Hooters Tour, and then onto the Nationwide Tour. (Side Note: If any of you young single Ags want to impress the ladies, tell them you spent a year on the Hooters Tour then slowly wink at them.)  Ryan's consistent success on the Nationwide Tour in 2003 helped him earn his 2004 PGA Tour Card, where he's been now for the last 12 years.  During that time Ryan has 3 career PGA Tour wins.

Ryan seems like a good dude and a good Ag.  Check out the work he's doing with the Ryan Palmer Foundation.  And give him a follow on twitter @RyanPalmerPGA

Why You Should Watch

This is a big tournament with a lot of the top players in the world showing up this week.  For both of the Aggies playing, it represents a big chance to move up in the Fed-Ex Cup Points, as well as their World Golf Rankings. Both of those are important for receiving other tournament invites such as the World Golf Championship matches, as well as the Masters in April.  Palmer has played well here in the past with a Top 25 finish last year, and then barely missing out on a win in a four man playoff in 2014.  A high finish here this weekend would really give a jump start to either Bronson's or Ryan's 2016 season.

Another reason to watch?  This course is tough and can really test the best players in the world.  And PGA National is famous now for its redesign, orchestrated by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus.  The 15th, 16th, and 17th holes (now known as the Bear Trap) are some of the most demanding in golf, and always make this tourney fun down the stretch on Sunday afternoons.

The 19th Hole

This section again is just my opinion of which beverage best pairs with the golf viewing for this particular venue.  We're talking South Florida, sunshine, a tropical feel, and expensive ass condos.  How bout a Tom Collins.  Let's do 2 oz of Bombay Dry Gin, 1 oz of fresh squeezed Lemon Juice, 1/2 oz of simple syrup, and top with 2 oz of Topo Chico for maximum fizz.  Garnish with a lemon wedge and enjoy.