Sunday, September 25, 2016

Arnold Palmer, Iconic Golf Legend And Winner Of Seven Majors (Including Four Masters), R.I.P.

Arnold Palmer, the iconic legend who, in the 1950s and 1960s, was the undisputed face of golf and who became one of sport's all-time legends, passed away in a Pittsburgh hospital on Sunday at age 87.

Mr. Palmer, who was nicknamed "The King," passed away on the eve of his scheduled heart operation.

Arnold won seven major golf championships (including four Masters) between the ages of 28 and 34.

He won 62 PGA titles, with the last coming in 1973.

Perhaps the most famous tournament that involved Arnie was the 1960 US Open (he had won the Masters earlier that year).  This was the year that his loyal die-hard fan base, known as "Arnie's Army" was born.  

It was at Cherry Hills that Arnie came back from a seven-stroke deficit at the start of the final round by shooting 30 on the front nine and a 65 for the round as he overtook a young amateur by two to win the title.  The amateur's name was Jack Nicklaus.

Before the Golden Bear, and certainly before Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer was the man who made golf cool.

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