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In the first segment of this week's show, Holly G, Host and Producer of The Golf Insiders, along with Co-Host Will Perry are in the studio for the start of season 9. Special week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The special sponsor for this show is Shot Navi, Japan’s #1 Golf GPS.
PGA Tour player Sam Saunders, Arnold Palmer’s grandson, and 35 players hit the ceremonial tee shots one after the other to start the tournament.
Holly spoke with Saunders right after the opening ceremony and asked him what this week means to him as so many have come out to honor his grandfather.
“Obviously so special … out here all these pros here making the effort to come out and pay tribute to my grandfather … that means the world to me and I know it meant the world to him. He’s looking down and smiling at all of us.
Holly asked him what it would mean for him to win this tournament.
“I can’t really put that into words. To be honest, I’d rather win this tournament this week than any one throughout my entire career.  It would be so special. And I’m going to do my very best to try and make him proud.”
Holly mentioned an event last night that MasterCard announced that it is extending its sponsorship of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The purse has also increased to $8.7 million for the 120-player field. A 3 year winner’s exemption over the standard two years. Also the implementation of Arnie’s Army charitable foundation as the host organization.
Holly also spoke with PGA Tour champion Brandt Snedeker about how he met Mr. Palmer. Tried to get 5 minutes with him and ended up talking with him for two hours about anything.
There will probably be another person like him.
He had that gift and I don’t think I’ve met anyone else like him … and I’ve met some people who are unbelievable, like Bill Clinton who had the same kind of quality that when you walk into a room  when he spoke to people to make them feel comfortable and that I
Holly asked Snedeker who has a connection with MasterCard what it would mean to him to win this event.
“It would be a huge moment in my career. It would probably be the highlight of my career at this point. Just because of what Arnold meant to me personally and what his legacy is to the game of golf. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor him than to go out here and try to win this week for him knowing what kind of relationship we had.
Snedeker is going to play the first two round with Saunders this week and looks to help him out.
Holly spoke with Annika Sorenstam at the Arnold Palmer Invitational too. She asked Annika what it meant to be a part of this event?
“It means a lot to be a part of this,” she said. “What Mr. Palmer has started … he has really changed golf. Just to be able to come here and continue his passion for the game … he’s touched so many people … he’s had such an impact and we have to continue … I feel like we owe him this, to continue this and I am very proud to be a part of the tournament in a little way.”