Ryan Palmer no longer intimidated by Augusta National's greens

After the way he played in 2011, it’s no wonder Ryan Palmer is counting down the days until the 76th Masters Tournament.

“I can’t wait, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’ve been using the last few months leading up to it just gearing up for that one week. My game is getting in shape for that tournament. There are a lot of high hopes.”

The Texan believes he experienced a major breakthrough last year at Augusta National Golf Club. It led to a 10th-place showing, his best finish in three starts.

“I got over the fear of the greens, the putting. The few times I played it before I was intimidated a little bit by the putting surfaces and the terrain,” said Palmer, who was one of just eight players last year to shoot par or better in all four rounds.

“I’ve gotten over the ambience of the whole tournament and the fear of the greens,” he said. “When I step up there Thursday of this year, I think I have a good chance
to contend. Who knows, I might be that guy to wear that jacket. Maybe.”

Palmer is hoping to build on rounds of 71-72-69-70 last year. His weekend trip of 5-under par was bested by just five players, including winner Charl Schwartzel.

“I’ve come to love that course the more I play it,” Palmer said. “It suits me off the tee so well, and I know if I putt well that week I’m going to have a good week. After last year, that tournament holds a special place for me.”

Palmer, who averaged more than 300 yards off the tee last year for the first time, has added more yardage to his tee shots this year. A
ramped-up offseason workout program gave him more turn on his swing, creating faster clubhead speed.

“I’m hitting the ball longer, which is nice, which gets me even more excited about that week,” Palmer said. “The longer I
hit it, the shorter irons I have into those greens, and the putter is there.”

“He’s driving it really good right now – long and straight,” said Chad Campbell, Palmer’s friend and fellow Texan.

Palmer said he’s added a “good 20 yards” to his tee shots.

Which holes will that help him on at Augusta National?

“All of them.”.

Specifically, it will help him on Nos. 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18.

His mental approach also has improved since he started working early this year with sports psychologist Fran Pirozzolo, the mental skills coach for the Texas Rangers.

James Edmondson, Palmer’s longtime caddie, has also played a key role, he said.

“My mind has been quite better than it has been in years,” Palmer said. “There is nothing negative. I’m not beating myself up. I’m seeing the bigger picture.”

“We’re working on his mental approach, and he’s not getting so high or low,” Edmondson said. “He’s kind of staying right in the middle.”

Palmer is especially proud of the way he held his round together on the last day of the 2011 Masters after a double-bogey, par, bogey start.

“I was 3-over after three holes,” he said. “But nothing fazed me. I birdied No. 8 and made a couple of birdies on the back nine. Nothing really bothered me. I knew it was a golf course where you’re going to make a bogey or two.

“I remember doubling No. 11 the first day to get over par and my caddie said, ‘This is only Thursday
and we’ve got so much golf and there are so many birdie holes out there.’

“It’s a golf course; if you just play smart and play steady and just hang around, you’re going to catch lightning in the bottle and make a few birdies,” Palmer added. “It’s
a matter of avoiding those big numbers and getting yourself in the mix.”

He was outside the mix in the final round, starting the day eight shots off the lead.

“I knew I was always three or four shots away that Sunday,” said Palmer, who made eagle on the par-5 13th hole. “I was surprised when I finished and I was in 10th. Looking back and thinking of some of the shots and, man, how close I was to be up there.”