PGA Tour events often see unexpected withdrawals due to various reasons. The Texas Open was no different this week. Several players pulled out before the tournament began. Take Michael Kim, for instance, who chose not to play at the $9.5M event after securing his Masters spot last week. But one withdrawal story has emerged as particularly remarkable. 

We are talking about the current leader of the Valero Texas Open, Sam Ryder. The PGA Tour professional’s impressive performance in the first round shocked everyone. He currently leads the Texas Open leaderboard with a stunning 9-under 63 in the first round. Whereas big PGA Tour names like Jordan Spieth (-5), Tony Finau (-3), Ludvig Aberg (-1), and others are still lurking below on the leaderboard.

Ryder’s bogey-free performance included six birdies in his final seven holes. This comes after a concerning injury forced him to withdraw from the pro-am. Making his round even more remarkable, Ryder gained an impressive tournament-best 5.353 strokes on the greens with his putter. His success raises questions about traditional tournament preparation. Perhaps rest can sometimes outweigh practice.

Sam Ryder’s unconventional path to the top

Ryder’s troubles began during a practice session earlier in the week. He was hitting drivers on Tuesday after playing nine holes. Everything felt good with his swing. His speed was ramping up nicely. Then something unexpected happened.

“I kind of just felt something strained a little bit in my upper back, kind of neck area,” Ryder explained. The pain didn’t improve right away. In fact, it got worse as the day continued. Fortunately, his physical therapist was on-site. Ryder immediately sought treatment for the injury.

The situation forced him to make a difficult decision. He abandoned his clubs completely. “I didn’t practice the rest of the day,” he said. Wednesday brought no relief. “Wasn’t able to go on Wednesday, didn’t touch a club,” Ryder admitted. He didn’t even putt or do any golf-related activities.

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Instead, he chose an unusual preparation method. “I watched HBO and Netflix and some shows and just tried to rest,” he revealed. This approach goes against conventional tournament wisdom. Most players want maximum practice time before competing. Yet Ryder’s body needed healing more than repetition.

This isn’t the first time Ryder has made headlines with unconventional play. He famously sank a hole-in-one at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open’s 16th hole. His perfect 125-yard stroke captivated fans worldwide. In 2024, he set a record at The Players Championship with 28 birdies in a single week.

The morning of his round brought uncertainty. Ryder arrived early to test his condition. “I got out here at 9:30,” he said. His tee time wasn’t until 12:40 p.m. He wanted enough time to assess his ability to play. The warm weather helped his physical comfort significantly.

His coach stood by as he began making tentative swings. “I kind of was a little gun shy early,” Ryder acknowledged. Gradually, his confidence returned. “As I built up the speed I kind of got more confidence,” he explained. This careful approach paid off tremendously on the course.

The crucial role of our medical staff

Casual fans often overlook professional golf’s physical demands. Players regularly deal with injuries, and the PGA Tour’s medical staff plays a vital role in these situations. Physical therapists travel to tournaments specifically for this purpose.

Ryder directly benefited from having his therapist available. “My physical therapist is here, got some treatment,” he mentioned. This immediate access to care likely prevented a complete withdrawal. Tour medical professionals understand the unique strains golf places on the body.

Other players have similarly praised your medical resources. Tiger Woods famously relied on physical therapists throughout his career, particularly during his recovery from spinal fusion surgery in 2017 that enabled his 2019 Masters victory. Brooks Koepka once credited his team for saving his season after knee issues, specifically when he worked with his medical staff to recover from a partially torn patella tendon in 2019, allowing him to win the PGA Championship that year. The modern game demands these medical partnerships more than ever.

Ryder’s story highlights how proper medical guidance can salvage a tournament week. His therapist provided the treatment and likely advised the complete rest approach. This professional guidance turned a potential disaster into an unexpected success.

Ryder’s experience demonstrates the unpredictable nature of professional golf. Sometimes, traditional preparation matters less than listening to your body. His Netflix marathon proved more valuable than range sessions. Will this unorthodox approach continue working through the weekend? Golf fans will certainly watch with interest.