Bay Hill tribute to Palmer, red sweater to winner

ORLANDO, FLA. >> Sam Saunders started the tribute with a drive from the spot on the Bay Hill range where his grandfather, Arnold Palmer, used to practice.

Sixty more players followed, one after the other, ending with defending champion Jason Day.

As soon as one player hit his tee shot, the player next to him began his swing. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! From right to left down the range, the balls soared against a blue sky. The sequence was golf’s version of a 21-gun salute.

The opening ceremony was a new tradition at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the first without its tournament host and golf’s most beloved figure.

“Let’s make him proud and hit this one hard,” Saunders said.

Wednesday was filled with more stories and more memories of Palmer, who died Sept. 25 in Pittsburgh. It figures to continue through the opening round Thursday, right to the end on Sunday.

Palmer used to greet the winner on the 18th green. Instead of getting a blue blazer, the winner now will get a red cardigan, like the King once wore.

“I think my grandfather’s legacy speaks for itself. He made a mark on this game that will probably never be equaled,” Saunders said. “I’ve been so personally touched by everyone that has come here . ... They’re playing because they know that my grandfather was able to give them a career, give them an opportunity to play golf for a living, and to give the media a chance to cover what we do.”

Saunders, 29, has only conditional status on the PGA Tour this year. The PGA Tour still put him in the same group as Rory McIlroy and Brandt Snedeker. Players who get a sponsor exemption don’t typically play with the top names, but this is a different week, a special occasion.

Day won last year with a bunker save on the final hole, the first big step in his rise to No. 1 in the world. He also got the last handshake from the King as the Arnold Palmer Invitational winner.

During his pro-am Wednesday, a woman asking for an autograph wore a shirt showing a photo that Day recognized immediately: Palmer in a golf cart clasping hands with Day, with his wife and two young children.

“I get to have that memory of actually standing with him, talking to him and being his champion. Those memories you don’t forget,” Day said.

Those memories include having a drink with the King, another Bay Hill tradition.

“I felt like I was drinking a whole bottle of Ketel One, because that’s obviously his favorite thing,” Day said. “And I was on Golf Channel and I felt absolutely hammered. I had a drink with him and I’m going up there and I don’t know what I’m saying on Golf Channel. But it was a special moment at his place, and just winning this tournament, it is such