Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders, excited for Bay Hill
Sunday 22 March 2015 00:04, UK
Sam Saunders is confident of a strong performance at his grandfather's course when he competes at this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The rookie returns for a sixth time to Bay Hill, a course owned by seven-time major-winning grandfather Arnold Palmer, off the back of two top-25 finishes on the PGA Tour.
Another positive display this week in a high profile field containing the world's top five players would see Saunders break in to the world's top 300, with Palmer pleased with how his grandson's game has developed.
"His game has really matured, and it's starting to show," Palmer said. "He is playing very solidly right now, and putting good rounds together. It's fun to watch him play the way he knows how to play."
The 27-year-old ended a run of seven consecutive tournaments without making the cut on the PGA Tour earlier this month with a tied-second finish at the Puerto Rico Open, narrowly losing out to Alex Cejka in a five-man play-off.
Saunders produced another strong display at last week’s Valspar Championship, posting three under-par rounds to finish in the group tied-24th, with the American pleased to be making improvements in his game.
"I felt like I was playing well for the most part this year, but I just wasn't getting a lot out of it,” Saunders added. “You hear that a lot from guys out here, but it's true that you can be playing pretty well and just not taking advantage of your scoring chances.
"The changes in equipment [a new putter] gave me a little shot of confidence. It always helps seeing a few more putts go in. You make a few more birdies and next thing you know you're trying to win a tournament.”
Watch the Arnold Palmer Invitational live on Thursday from 6pm on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.
