2021 Texas Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC San Antonio

Contrary to what his last two showings will tell you, I think Ryan Palmer’s still got some Texas Open magic left in him.

The Amarillo, Texas, native made the cut at this event every year from 2012 to 2017, going T-6th, T-4th and T-6th from 2015-17.

“Obviously this one means a lot. I lived here for a few years. Lot of great friends out here in San Antonio,” Palmer was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2017. “Every Texas event I play it means a lot just being from the State, Texas, and having my ties with (Texas) A&M and it means that much more to me each time I play each week.”

The 44 year old has played some of his best golf late in his career. While he hasn’t won individually since 2010, he’s currently at his apex in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Palmer finished fourth in a tournament to close out 2020 and to begin 2021. He was also T-2nd at this year’s U.S. Open site, Torrey Pines, and T-17th at the Players Championship.

Palmer was arguably the best player to miss out on the knockout round of last week’s WGC-Match Play. He beat Shane Lowry 4&2, Sebastian Munoz 2&1 and tied with world No. 3 Jon Rahm. Rahm, his teammate when they won the 2019 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, beat Palmer in a playoff to win the group.

Winds between 10-20 miles per hour can be enough to be a nuisance for some pros. That’s old hat for Palmer.

His ball striking is solid in any weather, as evidenced by ranking 35th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (.459 per round). He’s also 18th in greens in regulation at 70.26%.