Arnold Palmer’s Grandson Looking to Earn PGA TOUR Card

Golf lost a legend this past year when Arnold Palmer passed away after a long and successful life. Palmer’s legacy will live on, however, not only in his accomplishments but through his own bloodline.

One of Arnie’s grandchildren happens to be Sam Saunders, a player on the Web.com Tour. Saunders is competing this weekend in the Web.com Tour Finals at Atlantic Beach Country Club, where he is looking for a finish that will be good enough to earn him a PGA TOUR card for next season. And Saunders has started off the tournament in a fashion that would make Arnie proud.

In the first round of the Tour Finals, Saunders came out firing, making 13 birdies on the round to shoot a 59.

59 is becoming a popular number in golf this year, with quite a few players hitting that mark this season. For the Web.com Tour, this was only the seventh 59 ever recorded in an event.

In his second round, Saunders followed up his performance with a 66.

Sam Saunders holds his scorecard after a birdie on the ninth green…

Sam Saunders holds his scorecard after a birdie on the ninth green gave him a score of 59 during the first round of the Web.com Tour Championship held at Atlantic Beach Country Club on September 28,… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Talking about his rounds, Saunders was more excited that his family got to see him succeed. “Honestly, I was excited because my wife (Kelly) and my son Cohen (8), who is really getting into golf, got to watch,” he told reporters. “He’s only watched me play three full rounds of golf, probably. He’s watched me fail in golf a lot, which is good, that’s a good lesson for him.” Now Cohen gets to watch his dad dominate.

Saunders entered the tournament hoping to have a strong finish that would earn him a PGA TOUR card. Sitting 24th on the money list, only the top 25 money earners are guaranteed a card on the top tour but with his first two round performances, that spot looks to be secure. Now, he’s thinking about his first possible win as a professional.

Saunders must be channeling the strength of his late grandfather this weekend and hopefully, he’ll be able to carry that momentum into his first ever victory and further into the PGA TOUR next season.

Cover Photo via YouTube