For Marcus Byrd, a move to Georgia in the early 2010s helped shape his life and who he is now as a professional golfer chasing his dream.
Byrd made the journey from Maryland to the Peach State to help develop against tougher competition and take advantage of better weather throughout the year.
It didn’t take long for Byrd to make his mark in Georgia and open doors for college and gain confidence in his abilities.
Byrd took home the 2013 Georgia Junior Championship at The Farm in Rocky Face by one shot with a three-day total of 215 (-1) not too long after moving to the Peach State.
“That was the first week in my life that I really realized I could compete at a really high level,” Byrd said. “There were a lot of really good players in that championship, and the golf course was set up perfect for me. I love that golf course. It was long and I was definitely one of the longer hitters, so it was an amazing place for me.
“Winning that championship opened the floodgates for me when it came to college recruiting. I didn’t really even know too much about playing golf in college or if I would even have the opportunity.”
While he remembers battling until the very end, his drive on the final hole of the championship remains a vivid memory in Byrd’s mind.
“It wasn’t easy,” Byrd said. “There were a lot of guys that were close. I was playing with Ryan Stachler, and we were pretty much tied going into the last few holes. I think I made a really good 20 or 25-footer on No. 16 to go up one shot and went into the last hole that way.
“I really remember that drive on No. 18. It was by far the best I hit given the circumstances and I remember just how much further down I was. I think Ryan hit like a 7-iron into the green and I vividly remember hitting a gap wedge. I really thrive in those moments and live for them. So, it was really cool at that age to be under the gun and deliver in front of those college coaches.”
Byrd would claim GSGA Junior Player of the Year honors in 2013 and go on to play in two U.S. Junior Amateurs (making match play in 2014), along with the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
“That move to Georgia was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Byrd said. “If it wasn’t for that Georgia Junior Championship and the GSGA and playing against all those great players in Georgia, I don’t think I would be where I am now.
“Playing Sage Valley and being around top juniors like Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Champ, I knew I wanted to be out there and competing against those types of guys the rest of my life. I learned so much from being in those environments and it just added fuel to the fire for me to get better.”
Following a successful four-year career at Middle Tennessee State University where he picked up multiple individual victories and claimed Conference USA Player of the Year honors in 2019, Byrd turned professional in 2020 and continues to chase that dream today.
Byrd has competed in nine PGA TOUR events, earned his Korn Ferry Tour Card for 2024 and finished 36th in the points standings on the PGA TOUR Americas in 2025. Byrd recently started his 2026 off on a strong note.
After capturing the APGA (Advocates Professional Golf Association) Farmers Insurance Invitational on January 25 thanks to an 8-under 136 on the Torrey Pines North Course, Byrd earned an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 for his ninth PGA TOUR start.
“It’s life changing,” Byrd said of the victory to the APGA’s website. “I can’t tell you how many guys out here, without Farmers support and the APGA’s support, I can’t say that we would all be able to chase this dream. To be able to work hard every year and look forward to this opportunity, and now for Farmers to provide a spot into the (Farmers Insurance Open) field this year, that’s all we can ask for.
“I’m super blessed and super thankful. We can’t thank them enough for what they have done for us, and for me personally.”
Byrd narrowly missed making a third-straight cut on the PGA TOUR falling short by one shot after putting together a two-day total of 143 (72-71) at the Farmers Insurance Open. Byrd had made the cut in his two most recent PGA TOUR starts – 2024 RSM Classic and 2025 ISCO Championship.
His start to 2026 is just a continuation of a solid 2025 where he posted three top 10 finishes on the PGA TOUR Americas making 12 of 14 cuts to go along with the cut he made at the PGA TOUR’s ISCO Championship in Kentucky where he fired a final round 65.
On the APGA Tour, Byrd racked up two victories and four runner-up finishes in the nine events he played in to earn their Jeff Dailey Player of the Year Award.
“Last year was probably the busiest year I’ve ever had playing golf,” Byrd said. "But it was super consistent year through and through. Making the cut at the ISCO Championship was big for my confidence and seeing where I was. It was a lot of golf last year, but it was what I needed to see.
“I needed to see my game and how it translates week-to-week against really good players.”
For the first time in a few years, Byrd had a little bit of an offseason to evaluate his game and build upon a solid 2025.
“My short game has to be better,” Byrd said. “I think I was close to the bottom of the field in scrambling during the ISCO Championship and as well as some of the PGA TOUR Americas events looking back on it. My percentages were just not great. I’ve driven the ball great in pretty much every event I’ve played in, so that’s a strength in my game.
“I think my focus with my coach was getting better with our short irons, becoming a better wedge player, hitting the right types of shots around the greens and just having all the shots whenever we need it.”
Given his play on the PGA TOUR Americas in 2025, Byrd has full status for 2026 when the season begins in mid-April. He will keep busy until then working on his craft and trying to ‘Monday Qualify’ for a few PGA TOUR events and compete on the APGA Tour as well.
“My first goal for 2026 is to win on the PGA TOUR Americas,” Byrd said. “That would be the main goal to go down there and prove I can win at that level. It would do a lot for my confidence and put me in position to get my Korn Ferry Tour card back.
“I hope to not miss any cuts and just continue to be a consistent player on every level and every platform. Just tweaking some little things here and there. It’s not far off. I’ve definitely shown I can compete at the next level. It’s just getting more comfortable in getting those reps and knowing I’ll be ready when I get the opportunity.”
All images courtesy PGA TOUR Americas.