Palmer’s 71 Matches Age

The last time anyone shot his age on the PGA Tour? Until Saturday, it was believed to be 1979, by 67-year-old Sam Snead, although records are sketchy.

Anyway, Snead found some new company Saturday when 71-year-old Arnold Palmer shot his age in the fourth round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, on the course he designed at PGA West.

“Golf is fun,” Palmer said. “That’s why I’m still playing it. You know, you get nervous and want to play well. Of course, I’m not fortunate enough to do that as much as I would like.”

Palmer shot a 35 on the front but double bogeyed the 16th hole. He made a birdie at the par-three 17th, then made par at the last hole for his one-under 71.

In his 41st appearance at the Hope, Palmer missed the cut for the 19th straight year, but his scores improved each round--81, 79, 75, 71.

“If I could have shot 71 and gone down the same way, I would be sure to play a few more events,” said Palmer, whose last PGA Tour victory was the ’73 Hope.