Palmer honors late father by wearing Shriners badge

Ryan Palmer came to Las Vegas this week with a heavy heart and loads of incentive.

His father, a longtime Shriner who was active in the golf tournament the organization hosts at TPC Summerlin, died in a traffic accident in Texas in mid-August. Butch Palmer was 71.

But while Palmer is still dealing with his loss, he wants to do well at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Wearing one of his dad's Shriner badges on his hat, Palmer is in contention after a two-round total of 8-under 134, three shots off the lead.

"I wanted to come here knowing Dad was a big Shriner back home," Palmer said. "It was an easy decision, and it's nice that I'm playing well, too."

Palmer said his practice time is paying dividends.

"I've been driving the ball well, and I finally got my putting going," he said. "I'm very excited about where I am, and hopefully we can finish this off with a bang because I'll be done until January."

Palmer said he has kept his dad in his thoughts, and he wears the badge as a reminder of his father's love of the Shriners.

"He was proud to be in the Shriners, and he loved being part of this tournament," Palmer said. "It would be great to win and honor him that way."

* CRANE DISQUALIFIED — Ben Crane was disqualified Friday after a first-round rules violation was reported to PGA Tour officials after his second round.

Crane, who was 4 under after two rounds, touched a stone with his club in a hazard on the 18th hole but did not report it until after the second round. He was found to have violated Rule 13-4 (ball in hazard; prohibited actions). Had Crane reported the incident immediately after his first round, he would have been assessed a two-stroke penalty.

* TRINGALE'S GAFFE — Cameron Tringale thought he was among the leaders with his second-round 64.

Oops. Make that a 65 after Triangle was penalized a stroke for touching his ball on the green at No. 12.

"Basically, I forgot to put my coin back down, and I touched the ball on the green," Tringale said. "I didn't learn about the penalty until after my round. I just called an official in to get a sure answer, and that was it."

Tringale is tied for fifth at 9 under, two shots off the lead.

* KIZZIRE'S CRAZY ROUND — Patton Kizzire took a roller-coaster ride to his 2-under 69 Friday.

The PGA Tour rookie had a six-shot swing that saw him go from 6 under to 4 under, then back to 8 under by the time he finished his round.

"I didn't have my best stuff," he said. "I started out a little shaky, but I stayed patient and was able to finish strong."

Kizzire bogeyed his first two holes, then made birdie on the final two holes of his front nine to get back to 6 under, which was where he began the day.

He eventually got to 8 under at the par-4 15th. And while he didn't go any lower, he is glad to be involved this weekend.

"Shooting a couple under par on days like (Friday) are good," he said.

* NOTABLE CUTS — Some of the tournament's big names will not make it to the tee today after the cut line is officially established this morning.

Tour officials said the cut could be at 2 under or 3 under depending on how the remaining 14 players fare as they finish their second round after play was suspended for the second consecutive day because of darkness.

But for several notable players, their week in Las Vegas is indeed done.

Jason Dufner shot a 1-over 72 Friday, leaving him at 1-under 141. Keegan Bradley had a 70, but he needed a better score than that after his opening 72. Same for former UNLV standout Charley Hoffman, who shot 71-71.

Also missing the cut were Brooks Koepka at 1 under, Vijay Singh at even and Brandt Snedeker at 1 over.

* MALLINGER WITHDRAWS — John Mallinger withdrew after six holes Friday because of a back injury. He started the day tied for 138th after opening with a 75.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj