12 players pull out of Byron Nelson for myriad reasons
Almost 10 percent of the original field for this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson Championship has withdrawn ahead of the Thursday opener. A total of 12 players have pulled out for myriad reasons.
Ian Poulter withdrew on Wednesday morning, citing on Twitter a “strain” he suffered in a gym workout. This was to be Poulter’s final PGA Tour event of that season that wasn’t a major, World Golf Championships or FedEx Cup playoffs event.
Past Nelson champion Jason Day withdrew when he experienced some dizziness on the host TPC Four Seasons course.
Kevin Kisner, who has finished runner-up twice this season via playoff losses, pulled out earlier in the week.
In addition, 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, 2015 Puerto Rico Open winner Alex Cejka, Scott Gardiner, Fredrik Jacobson, Jason Kokrak, Neal Lancaster, George McNeill, Chris Stroud and Will Zalatoris have withdrawn. That meant the likes of Ben Curtis and Trevor Immelman, both major champions, got in off the alternate list. However, former PGA Tour winner Tommy Gainey turned down a chance to play in the field when a spot opened for him, deciding to remain in the Web.com Tour event this week instead.
For some, injuries and health issues were a factor. For others, no doubt the state of TPC Four Seasons was a problem, with the course already drenched from rains pounding many areas of Texas. More rain is expected throughout tournament week.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
