"Arnold Palmer was the everyday man's hero," Nicklaus
said. "From the modest upbringing, Arnold embodied the hard-working
strength of America."
Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest golfers ever to pick up a club and
the object of a massive fan base that called itself “Arnie’s Army” as
he recorded seven major victories, died Sunday at 87 in Pittsburgh,
according to the United States Golf Association.
Alastair Johnson, CEO of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, told
the Associated Press that Palmer died Sunday afternoon of complications
from heart problems. Johnson said Palmer was admitted to the hospital
Thursday for some cardiovascular work and weakened over the last few
days.
Born in Latrobe, Pa., Palmer’s endearing personality and
skill on the links earned him the nickname “The King,” during a career
whose beginning coincided with the birth of television sports. Along the
way, he became one of the wealthiest celebrity endorsers, a
philanthropist, golf course designer and pilot.
Palmer’s long string of victories on the PGA tour began
in 1955, and he became one of the sport’s most recognizable
personalities, along with Jack Nicklaus. Palmer’s charismatic
personality also made him a sought after pitchman, for several products,
perhaps most famously Quaker State motor oil.
Palmer’s importance to subsequent generations of golfers was evident Sunday, as tributes poured in via social media.
“Such sad news to hear about passing of #arnoldpalmer,”
tweeted superstar Ernie Els. “Great memories of him. His legacy in the
game & charity will live forever.”
John Daly tweeted: The Legends of all Legends in the game
of golf! RIP my friend, always loved u and always will! God Bless my
Friend! “
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump reacted to the news of Palmer's death, calling it "really sad news" in a tweet.
"Really sad news: The great Arnold Palmer, the "King,"
has died. There was no-one like him - a true champion! He will be truly
missed," he tweeted.
George W. Bush said in a statement: "For all who love the game of
golf and love to see it played, there has never been a sight quite like
Arnold Palmer walking down the fairway toward the 18th green. The
announcer Vin Scully once said, 'In a sport that was high society,
Arnold Palmer made it 'High Noon.' Laura and I are saddened by Arnie's
death and send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and
fellow fans. He was a great American whose friendship - and swing
thoughts - will be missed."
Palmer won the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in
1998, and in 1974 was one of the 13 original inductees into the World
Golf Hall of Fame.
Palmer learned to play from his father, Milfred "Deacon"
Palmer, who the club pro and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club. It
was ten that he developed his trademark pigeon-toed putting stance.
He earned a scholarship to Wake Forest, but left to join
the U.S. Coast Guard in the late 1940s. He returned to school three
years later, and won the 1954 U.S. Amateur championship.
Palmer turned pro a year later, winning the1955 Canadian
Open the first of a string of championships. Three years later, he won
the Masters Tournament, cementing his place among the sport’s greats.
Palmer won 62 titles on the PGA Tour, with the final one
coming in the 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic. Among his wins were four at
the Masters, two at the British Open and one at the U.S. Open. He
finished second in the U.S. Open four times, was runner-up three times
in the PGA Championship.
Palmer’s best years were in the early 1960s, but he
remained an immensely popular figure for the rest of his life. In 2000,
Golf Digest raked him the sixth greatest player of all time. Although
his biggest purse, $50,000, came when he won the Westchester Classic in
1971, Palmer’s popularity allowed him to earn as much as $30 million per
year in endorsements and business deals as recently as a few years ago.
During his heyday and well beyond, Palmer was a friend
and sometimes golf partner with Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and both
Bushes.
Palmer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.
Palmer’s friendly and folksy manner made him a favorite
of the press, and his quips and quotes were as legendary as his short
game.
"I have a tip that will take five strokes off anyone's golf game. It's called an eraser,” Palmer once said.
From former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, an avid golfer, said Palmer "struck his way into history and our hearts"
"Arnold Palmer was a model of integrity, passion, and commitment," he said late Sunday.
When Boehner was Speaker, he presided over a ceremony in
the Capitol Rotunda bestowing Palmer with the Congressional Gold Medal
in 2012.
Boehner said at the time that Palmer "democratized golf,
made us think that we too could go out and play. Made us think that we
could really do anything, really. All we had to do was to go out and
try."
Boehner nearly broke down.
"Arnold, you've struck our hearts and our minds, and
today your government, your fellow citizens are going to strike a gold
medal for you," he said at the point.
Palmer said he was "particularly proud of anything the House and Senate could agree on."
Palmer's first wife, Winnie, died in 1999. They had two
daughters, and grandson Sam Saunders plays on the PGA Tour. Palmer
married Kathleen (Kit) Gawthrop in 2005.
Palmer was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997, which
was caught early. He returned to golf a few months later, winking at
fans as he waded through the gallery, always a smile and a signature for
them.
"I'm not interested in being a hero," Palmer said,
implying that too much was made about his return from cancer. "I just
want to play some golf."
