SAN DIEGO – A week ago at this point, Ryan Palmer didn’t even have full status on the PGA Tour. On Sunday, in search of his fourth career victory, he’ll set out within a stroke of the lead.
It’s a whirlwind worth savoring following shoulder surgery in October that forced him to begin this year playing on a major medical extension and his wife’s bout with stage 2 breast cancer, which was diagnosed in 2016.
“Just shows the work I put in is paying off,” he said following a third-round 73 that left him alone in second place, a stroke behind front-runner Alex Noren. “I’m excited for the moment, for the opportunity tomorrow being in the final group.”
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Palmer secured his full playing privileges with a tie for 20th last week at the CareerBuilder Challenge and has been rejuvenated this season by his improved putting, the byproduct of his switch to a claw grip late last season.
He also has some extra motivation on Sunday.
“Hopefully I can go out tomorrow and give my son, Mason, a big birthday present being his 11th birthday, so that would be a fun way to end the day,” he smiled. “I don’t know what he wants, but I’m going to try to give him [a victory].”
Source: Internet
