The Golf Watch

Top players Johnson, Love, Glover to console Byrd

Craig DeVrieze called it "the luck of the draw."

After their early morning tee times Thursday at the John Deere Classic, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III, Lucas Glover and Charles Warren will hop on a private jet to Columbia, S.C. to attend visitation services for Jim Byrd, father of their good friend Jonathan Byrd.

Byrd passed away Monday after battling a brain tumor for more than a year. 

Jonathan Byrd's father dies

As a kid, you always remember your first autograph. 

Mine was a Jonathan Byrd autograph.  He wasn't well-known at the time, but as an avid golf fan, it was big news to me that I was able to call him over by the Congressional clubhouse and have him take a picture with me. 

I learned over time that Byrd was a spiritual person--and had a very close connection with his family. 

Sadly, Byrd's father, James Byrd Jr., died at the age of 65 from brain cancer. 

Our thoughts go out to the Byrd family.

Will the real "John 3:16" please stand up?

As Jonathan Byrd raced up the leaderboard Sunday at the Memorial, a fan with a neon green sign that read "John 3:16" followed him around.  On a number of shots during CBS' telecast, the man with the sign kept on appearing.  Either the individual was religious like Byrd and liked that verse in the Bible--or he's a huge Byrd fan.  Or, maybe both...

I always thought that signs weren't allowed on the course.  Otherwise, I think we'd see lots of "Tiger 3:16."

Small galleries at PGA

This picture from Yahoo sports (Getty Images) says it all.  The crowds were not terrible yesterday, but certainly not great.  Jonathan Byrd (pictured below) was co-leader at this point and was on the first hole, his tenth.  Note, there is only one fan...

Byrd says he has nothing to lose, will play aggressively

Jonathan Byrd had the first round and shared the second round lead with Aaron Baddeley, but after shooting an even-par 71 yesterday, he now finds himself six strokes behind the  leaders.  Earlier today, Byrd told Adam Barr of The Golf Channel, "I think I’m going to be pretty aggressive all day.  I’m not in the position exactly that I wanted to be probably starting the day yesterday, but I’m still only six back.  Many guys have won tournaments from being six back...It’s actually a pretty good position to be in because I can just go play the golf course and be aggressive and really got nothing to lose."

Byrd, Baddeley lead after round two

Jonathan Byrd continued his stellar play at the BMW Championship, shooting a 2-under 69, giving him a tie for the lead with Aaron Baddeley.  Byrd won earlier this year at the John Deere Classic and will try and win his second event of the season this week.  "My day was going pretty good out there…I kept telling myself keep giving yourself opportunites, you’re going to finish strong," said Byrd to Adam Barr of The Golf Channel.  As for Baddeley, he has finished in the top-25 in the first two FedEx Cup events, and could easily sneak into the top-10 with another strong finish this week. 

Byrd opens with 7-under 64, one stroke shy of course record

Jonathan Byrd was known as the bubble boy this week at the BMW Championship. Now, Byrd can be called something else--the first round leader of the BMW Championship--after firing a 7-under 64--one stroke shy of a course record at Cog Hill.  "I’ve been feeling really good with my putter this year…I made quite a few today," said Byrd to Adam Barr after his round.  "With a field like this, you’ve got to play good."  Byrd is currently ranked 30th in the FedEx Cup standings and will need a strong finish this week in order to stay inside the top-30.  He has a one stroke lead over Justin Rose and Camilo Villegas heading into Friday.  .   

Byrd confident and happy to be playing in first Open

Jonathan Byrd was the last man to qualify for the British Open after his win at the John Deere Classic on Sunday.  He is playing in his first Open Championship and feels that he can do well this week.  In an interview on The Golf Channel, Byrd said, "It's kind of hard to explain what it feels like to be over here.  The last 24 hours, 48 hours have been pretty hectic.  I guess I really haven’t been able to enjoy the win last week just yet.  Just because there is so much planning to get a flight, and the rush to get packed and get over here and get prepared.  And I think I can do pretty well over here."  With three wins, the 29-year-old has won more PGA Tour events than any other American under the age of 30.

Byrd captures third PGA Tour title at John Deere, qualifies for British Open

Jonathan Byrd birdied three of his last five holes to capture his third PGA Tour title at the John Deere Classic.  Byrd trailed Tim Clark by as many as five strokes during his final round, but after bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes, Clark saw his lead disappear.  With the win, Byrd now qualifies for the British Open at Carnoustie.  "I’m going.  I don’t have any other plans.  I have no passport with me.  I’m going to have to make a quick trip home and get that…I never played there, so I’m pretty excited," said Byrd to Bobby Clampett of CBS.  Peter Oosterhuis said the following about Tim Clark: "I was very surprised he didn’t win today.  Maybe a couple of dodgy decisions, but some bad breaks too at 15 and 17.”