Palmer rebounding well after playoff loss

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Jun 16, 2011 2:32 PM ET

BETHESDA, Md. – Just a few weeks ago, Ryan Palmer lost an opportunity to win in his home state of Texas as he fell in a playoff to Keegan Bradley at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. If he could win the U.S. Open at Congressional, though, that’s a trade he would happily make.

Palmer is on his way to making a run at another win after posting an opening round of 2-under 69 to get into a share of second place in the clubhouse.

It may not be Texas, but Palmer likes Congressional – and it showed on Thursday as he began his third crack at the U.S. Open.

“What I like most about it is the design of the holes for me. There’s a few out there that go to the right. But the majority of them look good to my eye. I drove it great today,” Palmer said despite hitting just half of the 14 fairways.

Despite his love for the host course, Palmer’s record in the AT&T National here is not good. He has missed the cut twice in three tries. That may not help, but Palmer says losing at the Nelson did.

“I’m going to gain a lot of experience from the Byron Nelson, when I shot 5 over on the weekend and lost in a playoff. Par was good there. I think that’s going to help me this week,” he said.