The 87-year-old died in Pittsburgh today where he had been undergoing heart tests since last week. “Today marks the passing of an era”, Alastair Johnston, his long-time agent at International Management Group (IMG), said in a statement.
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He will be forever remembered as a legend of the game.
Palmer was known at the “the King”, and thrilled fans for decades with his rivalry with Jack Nicklaus, but he was also a mentor to many young players and his name will forever by synonymous with golf. Because he did, you know, regardless of what they may tell you about any of golf’s other greats that roamed the grounds. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. “That never changed. He was the king of our sport and always will be”.
To do justice to an obituary for Arnold Palmer would be the length of War and Peace.
Palmer developed his following at tournaments and on television with an affable demeanor, telegenic looks and modest background as the son of a greenskeeper. Four Masters titles, two Opens and the US PGA puts him joint seventh on the all-time list.
While Tiger Woods said: “Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs”.
“It was a pretty cherished memory, he was long past his best but to be part of some of the welcomes he received at just about every green over the course of 36 holes was something very special”, Tataurangi said. What is important is we just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and all sports, he wrote.
His biggest win may have come at the 1960 U.S. Open, when he trailed by seven shots in the final round at Cherry Hills Country Club before pulling off the greatest comeback in the tournament’s history. “There would be no PGA TOUR Champions without Arnold Palmer”. He inspired generations to love golf by sharing his competitive spirit, displaying sportsmanship, caring for golfers and golf fans, and serving as a lifelong ambassador for the sport.
Palmer, whose powerful swing, attacking approach and ready smile attracted millions of loyal fans known as “Arnie’s Army” during his illustrious career, had celebrated his 87th birthday earlier this month.
As well as his golfing talent, Palmer’s huge success was built on how he marketed himself.
Palmer even had a drink named after him – a mix of lemonade and iced tea that he used to take on the golf course with him in a thermos.
Even as late as 2011, almost 40 years after his last PGA Tour win, he was number three on Golf Digest’s list of top earners at 36 million dollars (£27.7m) a year, trailing only Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Palmer won the British Open two years in a row in 1961 and 1962 but it was Charles who denied him the three-peat, winning at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in 1963. Mind your own business.
He was an avid pilot who continued to fly until he was 81. “You can still drive a tractor when you come home”.
Palmer was also a noted philanthropist, founding the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and a number of other charities.
Palmer received the two highest civilian honours in the United States – the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Palmer was born on September 10, 1929, in Latrobe, a small industrial town east of Pittsburgh.
