According to tournament officials, sponsors have granted Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders, a spot to play in the 2010 Bob Hope Classic. Meanwhile, John Daly has been granted three PGA Tour tournament sponsor's exemptions, but was surprisingly snubbed of a spot in the fifty-year-old Hope Classic.
Sam Saunders recently turned professional after playing at Clemson University, and fairing well in numerous amateur events. Saunders won the Florida High School State Championship as a junior in high school, the FCWT National Championship, two Men's Club Championships at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, and the 2005 Sawgrass Invitational. Saunders has also competed alongside his grandfather in the National Father-Son tournament, and has been featured on the Golf Channel numerous times.
Saunders' selection may in part be due to his grandfather's past successes at the Hope Classic, which included five wins. Palmer's wins occurred over a thirteen year period - his first in 1960, and his fifth in 1973.
It was most definitely a shock that the sponsors did not invite John Daly to the Hope. Daly is the winner of two major championships and five PGA Tour events. Despite his past antics, which recently lead to him having to endure a six-month PGA Tour suspension for conduct unbecoming of a professional, it appears as though Daly has gained a lot of maturity while losing a lot of weight (look for an upcoming article featuring Daly's transformation before the week's end).
The Bob Hope Classic is a seven-day pro-am event. It will mark the Tour's third official event of the new year and take place from January 18th thru the 24th in La Quinta, California. The combination of well-known celebrities being humbled by the game of golf, great weather, and low scores makes for a very entertaining event for all.
Sponsor's exemptions were also given to Rocco Mediate, David Duval, Steve Elkington, Rickie Fowler, Joe Ogilvie, Jamie Lovemark, and Billy Mayfair.
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so why do you think they snubbed Daly?
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