They Follow Arnie, Not the Leaders

In the ongoing debate whether senior golf should be about competition or nostalgia, the fans’ answer is clear. Check out the evidence Thursday midway through the first day of the U.S. Senior Open at Riviera Country Club.

An early leader, Hugh Baiocchi, and a close pursuer, Dave Eichelberger, strode toward the 18th green to polite applause from about 50 spectators.

At the same time, a larger group of fans was crowding three-deep around the putting green, watching Arnold Palmer practice.

It only got more crowded when Palmer, looking fit in tan slacks, aquamarine shirt and white visor, stepped onto the first tee. It was gridlock on the surrounding cart paths, clubhouse stairs and balconies.

Then to the delight of the crowd, Palmer, hitting third behind Bob Duval and John Mahaffey, hit his drive down the middle.

Arnie’s Army was marching again.

A couple even wore uniforms. Larry and Mariko Thornton, clad in white T-shirts with green block letters reading “Arnie’s Army,” pushed their 2-year-old son--named Arnie--through the thick rough in a stroller.

The Thorntons from Pacifica, near San Francisco, usually see Palmer play in person about eight times a year. As has become customary, Little Arnie gave Palmer a bouquet of flowers on the first tee.

“We love Arnold Palmer,” Larry Thornton said. “It’s like watching Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio for us.”

Palmer, 68, gave his loyal gallery some nice moments, birdieing the par-four 10th, but he struggled to keep his drives on the fairway and finished with a 78.

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Amateur Charles Smith, who turned 63 Thursday, made a hole in one on the 176-yard 14th hole with a four-iron. . . . CBS golf announcer Gary McCord, playing in the first major of his career, shot a three-over 74.