PONTE VEDRA, Fla. — Growing up as Arnold Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders has a unique perspective on the legend of golf. Palmer was the guiding light of his game, and the words of wisdom he still refers to.
When asked how his grandfather would have felt, Saunders quickly says he cannot speak for “The king,” but that does not mean he is unable to make an educated guess.
He said, “It is not fair to assume what someone would think.” “I don’t know what he’d think, but I’m sure I’d be disappointed, because I’m disappointed myself.”
Saunders, 36, has played in 158 career PGA Tour events. He has suffered a variety of injuries over the years, including a cyst on his wrist and a broken collarbone. But he is now healthy and is trying to make his way back onto the Tour his grandfather helped to build. The players split from the PGA of America back in 1968.
“I do not judge anyone’s decisions because I am not in their shoes, but nobody can own the game golf. Anyone should be able to play the game. Saunders stated that it is important to remember that golf should be a sport that brings people closer together and not separate them. “I personally would love to see the PGA Tour return to its roots, and adhere to a bit more tradition in the game. I will not sugar-coat the truth, I am not a fan. This is not the point of the game. It’s unique because there is no money guaranteed, and it is a performance-based game. I thought we were doing pretty well for many years. I can tell you that when I was playing there, I could never have imagined that we would be playing for so much money. Purses are now so expensive that I don’t think they are necessary or sustainable.
How much money must an individual earn to play a sport? I believe it should be based on performance. I hope this all ends in a positive manner. At the moment, I will be honest and say that I am concerned. I know that 90% of the players and people involved in the game feel quite worried and confused about what’s happening. “All I can hope for is that good will prevail.”
Arnold Palmer and Sam Saunders pose together for a Golfweek magazine print story. (Photo by Allan Henry).
Saunders was not happy when the Arnold Palmer Invitational was first proposed as a signature event with a small field and no cut. The Tour later reversed its decision, and API, Genesis Invitational, and Memorial all will have a smaller cut. Saunders is a native of Bay Hill Lodge & Club and has played the tournament ten times. He met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for lunch at the tournament last March to voice his concerns.
“That’s something my grandfather was very passionate about. I think he always wanted a competitive event that had a cut.” Saunders: “I’m personally disappointed by the small field, but I am glad that there is a cutting.”
Saunders is already aiming to get back into the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He last played it in March 2020.
Sam Saunders tees off at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He said: “I’m not going to play because there’s only a small field. I’m going to play because it’s an amazing event.” “I do not like the fact that we categorize events into good and bad. All events should be fantastic. Each and every PGA Tour event should have the world’s best players competing. I’m really annoyed when they limit fields and don’t have cuts, because we are no longer identifying best players, but the best in a specific circumstance.
“I’m excited that this year we will have a reduction in API fees. I want to play again and am very happy about it. I would love to see the non-majors compete on an equal footing. It doesn’t matter if it’s Tiger at the Genesis, Mr. Nicklaus at Muirfield, my granddad at Colonial or any of the other Tour events. They all have their own value. But I didn’t think that the Arnold Palmer Invitational had more importance or was better than the others. The Arnold Palmer Invitational has a lot of history, and my granddad is on it. This gives it value. I wanted the golf course to be the best it could be, and the most challenging for the players. “That’s all the competitiveness I felt in my participation in the tournament.”
The grandson of a legendary speaker.
