For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the AT&T Byron Nelson gets underway.

1. PGA Championship field is set

The AP’s Doug Ferguson…”The PGA Championship stuck to its mission of getting the strongest field of the four majors, announcing a field Wednesday that includes 99 of the top 100 in the world ranking no matter what tour they play.”

• “Missing from the 155-player list is Sergio Garcia, the former Masters champion who had been eligible for every major dating to the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie.”

• “Kerry Haigh, the chief championships officer for the PGA of America, had said in February that players from all tours would be considered to assemble a strong field, and he delivered a field that looks no different from previous years.”

2. Meet Will Knauth

Paul Hodowanic for PGATour.com…”All mundane things that make up life as a professional golfer. But Knauth isn’t a professional golfer.”

• “He is many things – a concert violinist, a pilot, a Ph.D. student at Columbia and a decorated NCAA Division III athlete. But he isn’t a pro golfer.”

• “Though, for one week, he’ll walk amongst them.”

• “Knauth is in the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship on a sponsor exemption after winning the 2022 Byron Nelson Award, given to a graduating senior for his achievement in the classroom, on the course and in the community. A former Carnegie Mellon standout, Knauth is the first D-III athlete to win the award since 2008 and beat out highly ranked Division I amateurs Cole Hammer and Trent Phillips. Former recipients include Dylan Frittelli, Maverick McNealy, McClure Meissner and Brandon Hagy. The AT&T Byron Nelson will be Knauth’s first professional tournament.”

3. No Tiger, maybe Spieth for PGA

BBC report…”Tiger Woods has been ruled out of the 2023 PGA Championship as the 15-time major champion continues to recover from an ankle injury.”

• “It is the third time in seven years the American, 47, will miss the tournament.”

• “Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth will take part, having been a doubt after withdrawing from the AT&T Byron Nelson this week with a wrist injury.”

• “The PGA Championship is being held at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester from 18-21 May.”

4. VC Couples

Golfweek’s Riley Hamel…”On Wednesday, United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson announced he has brought on Fred Couples as a vice captain.”

• “Couples represented the U.S. in five Ryder Cups, and this will be his third time serving as a vice captain.”

• “Freddie has the unique ability to relate and get along with every player, no matter their age,” Johnson said in a statement. “In turn, they respect and admire him, which ultimately creates a positive team dynamic. There’s a reason he’s been a vice captain three times. I know Freddie will do everything in his power to help our U.S. Team be successful in Italy.”

5. Exemption for Casey

Elliott Heath for Golf Monthly…”The PGA Championship field has been confirmed for the second men’s Major of 2023 and there are 18 LIV players set to feature, including Paul Casey.”

• “The Englishman didn’t manage to qualify through the various different routes but has been entered into the field at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.”

6. LIV Golf host responds to disgruntled members

Elliott Heath for Golf Monthly…”The negative views of the members made headlines around the world, despite a Grange GC survey showing that 86% were “satisfied or very satisfied” with LIV Golf coming to town, 7% percent were neutral and 7% were “dissatisfied or very dissatisfied”.

• The club’s general manager Barry Linke has confirmed that both courses are back in play and the club is working to “remedy the minimal damage to the course” caused by the grandstands and infrastructure, particularly around the stadium-style ‘watering hole’.

• “We are pleased with how the course has recovered following such a fantastic event, which showcased Grange to a global audience,” Linke told Golf Digest Australia.

7. Henderson out of LPGA event

Reuters report…”World No. 8 golfer Brooke Henderson will sit out this week’s Cognizant Founders Cup on the LPGA Tour because of an illness, TSN reported Wednesday.”

• “Henderson began the season by winning the Tournament of Champions in January.”

8. Scottie ready to ‘gear up’

Reuters report…”After nearly a month off, Scottie Scheffler is back.”

• “Scheffler, who sits at No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, hasn’t played in a PGA Tour event since the RBC Heritage. However, after an extended period of rest, the six-time winner is eager to get back on the course for this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.”

• “I’m just trying to gear up,” Scheffler said. “This week is a good prep week for me. It’s nice to be at home and get to play some tournament golf, and I’m excited to be here at the Nelson.”

9. Byron Nelson Photos

• Check out our galleries from this week’s tour stop!