Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Arnold Palmer's grandson to play Bob Hope Classic

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Arnold Palmer's grandson has received a sponsor's exemption to play in the PGA Tour's Bob Hope Classic.

Tournament officials said Monday that Sam Saunders was awarded an unrestricted exemption for the Jan. 18-24 event in La Quinta, Calif., that Palmer won five times during his storied career.

The 22-year-old Saunders turned pro last year after a solid amateur career at Clemson. He was medalist at the 2005 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Other sponsor's exemptions went to Steve Elkington, Billy Mayfair, Rocco Mediate, 1999 Hope winner David Duval, Rickie Fowler, Joe Ogilvie and Jamie Lovemark.