Answer: It is a phrase that modifies "Sam.
Step-by-step explanation:
I saw a similar question online and the underlined word was "Leaving behind his phone on the towel" and the options given were:
A. It is a phrase that modifies "ran."
B. It is a clause that modifies "ran."
C. It is a phrase that modifies "Sam."
D. It is a clause that modifies "Sam."
Based on the information given, the underlined phrase modifies "Sam. It gave more information about what Sam does. It's a phrase as not a clause since it doesn't have a finite verb and as such isn't meaningful.