PGA Tour: EDS Byron Nelson Championship Preview

This week’s EDS Byron Nelson Championship continues it’s tradition as one of the longest standing tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Established in 1944, when Nelson himself won the inaugural tournament, the Byron Nelson Championship has been running annually for the past 64 years.

With each new sponsor has come a slight variation to the name of the tournament; but the one constant has been the name of Byron Nelson.

Nelson, who passed away two years ago, was widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever pick up a golf club.

Nelson was also widely regarded as one of the true gentlemen in the sport, so it is no wonder that the EDS Byron Nelson Championship is the leading fund raiser for charity on the PGA Tour.

In 2007, it is estimated that the tournament raised around $100 million for various charities.

This is the second year that Nelson will not be taking his usual perch alongside the 18^th green to greet the tournament’s champion.

But it is difficult to ever forget Byron Nelson, and hopefully the tournament will continue to be a celebration of Nelson’s illustrious career and his well-lived life.

After last season’s tournament, there was a $10 million undertaking to upgrade the course at the Four Season Resort and Club at Las Colinas in Irving Texas.

The upgrades were done with the intention of making the course longer, which has been done at just about ever Tour stop over the past few years, and more picturesque.

The initial response by the players has been positive.

On another positive note, EDS has extended it’s commitment as the title sponsor of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship through 2014, thus ensuring the tournament will reach it’s 70^th year as a Tour event.

This year’s field of players is one of the weakest the tournament has seen in years.

Sitting at an awkward spot on the PGA Tour schedule, after the Masters and Verizon Heritage and just before the Wachovia Championship, many of the top players have decided to take a rest this week.

Master’s Champion Trevor Immelman will headline the field this week as he makes his first appearance since the Masters.

A victory can sometimes provide a springboard for a player in the weeks proceeding, but don’t expect too much from Immelman this week. This is his first tournament since becoming a Major champion and he is going to be dealing with the crowds and press that will inevitably follow his every move.

This week, keep your eye on Justin Leonard, Sean O’Hair and Sergio Garcia.

Leonard is playing in his home state of Texas and would like nothing more than to win a tournament founded by one of the greatest golfers to ever come out of the state.

Leonard has been playing better golf as of late finishing in a tie for 20^th at the Masters and was co-leader after the first round at last week’s Verizon Heritage.

O’Hair kept his incredible rookie season going at Augusta by finishing in a tie for 14^th. In his first season on tour, O’Hair has made 7 cuts in 10 tournaments and has 3 top-25 finishes including a win at the POD Championship.

O’Hair’s stellar play and consistency could make its way to the top of the leaderboard in this weak-fielded tournament.

Sergio Garcia is one of the most unpredictable players on tour. He is one of the best ball strikers on tour but his putting can be, at times, horrendous.

When Garcia has his putting under control though, he can be one of the top players in the world.

Garcia, a player who can struggle with his confidence at times, has won the Byron Nelson Championship before back in 2004.

Being a former winner of this tournament could give Garcia the much needed confidence he’s been looking for on the greens.

One can only hope that this tournament, rich in tradition and history, will continue being a truly class act on tour for many years to come.