By Bill Huffman
Special to PGATOUR.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Despite popular belief, Ryan Palmer is no relation to the legendary Arnold Palmer.

But being a good sport, Ryan Palmer obliges autograph seekers who want the signature of “Arnie’s grandson.’’

“I still get guys saying, ‘I met your granddad last year.’ ‘I played with him last year.’ To which I say, ‘Oh great!’

“I signed Arnold Palmer’s rookie card one time...I don’t want to spoil their fun. I had one guy last week say, ‘The greatest time of my life was when I played nine holes with your granddad last week.’ ’’

The “other Palmer’’ has game, too, which explains why he’s just one stroke back of J.B. Holmes following the third round of the FBR Open. In fact, his 7-under-par 64 on Saturday equaled the best round of the day.

Palmer, who at one point reeled off four straight birdies beginning at the 14th hole, is at 15-under 198 with 18 holes to play. He got there by getting better every day, as he opened with a 68 and followed that with a 66 to go with the 64.

Especially impressive was his birdie run, which might have been at least one better had he not three-putted at No. 13. And, he just missed a birdie at the 18th hole to boot.

“It’s going to be fun (Sunday),’’ said Palmer, who will be paired with Holmes, who shot 65, and J.J. Henry, the second-round leader who is two shots back after a 70.

“I’ll be the short hitter of the group. J.B. has been playing great after winning Q-school, and J.J. is a friend of mine from Fort Worth. I’m not protecting anything, so I’m going to keep attacking like I have all week.’’

While some players find the FBR Open a little too raucous, Palmer said he loves the environment, which swelled to a tournament record 168,337 fans on Saturday. Holmes said he especially “has a lot of fun’’ when he arrives at the 16th hole, the rowdiest hole in golf.

“It’s like walking into a stadium,’’ said Palmer of the 10,000 fans who ring the 132-yard hole in a complex that looks much like Boston’s Fenway Park.

“It’s the hardest wedge or 9-iron you can hit because you know if you don’t hit it good, they’re going to boo you. It’s pretty neat to walk in there and everybody is screaming, yelling, chanting. They like to throw ‘Hey, Palmer,’ in there.’’

In his third season, Palmer captured the 2004 FUNAI Classic at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort, and had near-misses last year at the B.C. Open, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and again at the FUNAI, where he shot a 64 on Sunday.

“I’m getting better every year, and that’s all I want,’’ said the 29-year-old Texan. “And I don’t feel like I need to hit it any further; I get it out here pretty good.

“I’ve been driving the ball great these last few weeks. And I’m back to my old putter and making some putts. When you drive the ball good and make some putts, you’re going to compete.’’

To date in 2006, he has missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii, finished tied for 10th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and tied for 35th at last week’s Buick Invitational.

Another win on the resume would be good, even if it will bring more references to the inevitable. Even “The King’’ gets a kick out of it, Palmer added.

“I went to get a flag signed (by Palmer) last year at Bay Hill, and I said, ‘Good to see you again,’’ Palmer related. “(Arnold) said, ‘Yeah, we’ll see you, cuz.’ ’’

Hey, when you’re being compared to a legend, who can argue?