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SPORTS Friday 17 February 2017
Sam Saunders opens

2-shot lead at Riviera

DOUG FERGUSON and as a grandfather, say-
AP Golf Writer ing that day, “There wasn’t
LOS ANGELES (AP) — This is a big difference between
the starring role Sam Saun- the man you saw on TV
ders prefers. and the man we knew
Saunders, the grandson of at home.” He has always
Arnold Palmer who so fa- been known as Palmer’s
mously kept his composure grandson, and Saunders
during a heartfelt eulogy has learned to embrace
of The King, rolled in birdie it. He no longer worries
putts and kept a clean about trying to make a
card at Riviera on Thursday name for himself. “I don’t
for a 7-under 64 and an need to compete against
early two-shot lead in the my grandfather’s career.
Genesis Open. Nobody can,” he said. “I
Saunders called it his best don’t care how many golf
round on the PGA Tour, tournaments you win, no-
and it was merely a coin- body’s going to compete
cidence that it came on in the terms of doing what
the 50-year anniversary of he did for the game. And
Palmer defending his title for me to try to promote my
at the Los Angeles Open, own brand or name would
when it was played at Ran- be foolish because I have
cho Municipal. such a great opportunity to Dustin Johnson tees off on the 16th hole during the first round of the Genesis Open golf tournament
at Riviera Country Club Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
“He just always talked promote and to continue
about how much he loved what he has already done.
coming out there and play- That’s what I’m going to
ing,” Saunders said. “I think do and not make it about
his celebrity matched pret- myself.” The morning was
ty well with the celebrity perfect for scoring once
atmosphere that you have the fog lifted, and Saun-
here, so he was obviously ders rarely had a round
comfortable with that.” with so little stress. He only
Saunders had a two-shot came close to making bo-
lead over Dustin Johnson, gey twice, saving par with
who has a chance to go to an 8-foot putt on the par-
No. 1 if he were to win this 3 fourth hole and a 6-foot
week. PGA Tour rookie J.T. putt on the par-3 14th.
Poston joined Johnson at Saunders, with only con-
66, while Phil Mickelson was ditional status this year, is
among those at 67. playing on the first of what
The first round was unlikely figures to be several spon-
to finish because of a fog sor exemptions. He missed
delay in the morning, and the cut in La Quinta and
the bigger concern was a Pebble Beach and knew
monster storm of rain and with the forecast so dire
wind expected to arrive that it would be key to get-
along the California coast ting off to a good start.
later Thursday. Johnson has come close
Saunders has kept a busy to winning Riviera, one of
schedule over the last four his favorite courses, four of
months in the aftermath of the last five years and he
Palmer’s death. He is tak- looked as though he might
ing on a bigger role at the be tough to beat this week
Arnold Palmer Invitational when he holed a 10-foot
next month, along with be- birdie putt on the 18th hole
ing a husband and the fa- as he made the turn, going
ther of two sons, and get- out in 32.
ting his golf game in shape. He failed to birdie the par-
“It’s been busy, but busy in 5 first hole when his ap-
a good way,” he said. proach was on the fringe
Saunders was rock solid on the wrong side of the
Oct. 3 when he stood be- green, forcing him to hit a
fore thousands at St. Vin- flop shot to the other side.
cent College, and so many Worse yet, he was stung
more watching the live on the neck by a bee, and
telecast of Palmer’s me- stood on the next tee rolling
morial service. Speaking a cold water bottle against
without notes, Saunders his neck as his brother and
beautifully captured the caddie, Austin, removed
spirit of Palmer as a golfer the stinger.q