SportsXchange: Saunders takes early lead at Genesis Open

By Art Spander
SportsXchange

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — He's Arnold Palmer's grandson, and that would be difficult enough — the attention, the questions — had Sam Saunders not become a professional golfer. 

But Saunders, 29, who Thursday took the first-day lead of the Genesis Open (the former L.A, Open) handled himself beautifully, appreciative of his heritage, someone who not only accepts who he is but relishes it. 

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2017 SportsXchange

SportsXchange: Spieth vies for California double at Riviera

By Art Spander
SportsXchange

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — This is a place of stars, Riviera, far out Sunset Boulevard, a country club where Hollywood's greatest stars would hang out and play, Humphrey Bogart, Howard Hughes, Dean Martin, Katharine Hepburn. 

A place a golfing star named Jordan Spieth understands and appreciates. 

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2017 SportsXchange

The Sports Xchange: Watson wins Northern Trust with two late birdies

By Art Spander
The Sports Xchange

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — For Bubba Watson, it was two weeks filled with trouble, with joy and finally with yet another victory in the Northern Trust Open, his second in the Los Angeles-area event in three years.

With birdies Sunday on the 16th and 17th holes at Riviera Country Club, Watson overcame a one-shot deficit to win by one stroke.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2016 The Sports Xchange

The Sports Xchange: Bubba leads by 1 at Riviera

By Art Spander
The Sports Xchange

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — One moment Jason Kokrak was in front of the Northern Trust Open. Then it was Chez Reavie. When the third round came to a close, it was Bubba Watson.

Two-time Masters champion Watson, who won this tournament in 2014, shot a 4-under par 67 on Saturday at Riviera Country Club to take a one-stroke lead over Kokrak (70), Reavie (69) and Dustin Johnson (68) with a 54-hole total of 12-under 201.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2016 The Sports Xchange

The Sports Xchange: Kokrak leads Northern Trust after two rounds

By Art Spander
The Sports Xchange

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The PGA Tour chooses to describe golfers' skills with a tidy phrase: These guys are good.

That might be an understatement. As the leaderboard of the Northern Trust Open verifies, these guys are fantastic.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2016 The Sports Xchange