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Arnold Palmer

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For the PGA Tour golf tournament, see Arnold Palmer Invitational. For the drink, see Arnold Palmer (drink).

Arnold Palmer
Palmer in September 2009
Personal information
Full nameArnold Daniel Palmer
NicknameThe King
Born(1929-09-10)September 10, 1929
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 25, 2016(2016-09-25) (aged 87)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Sporting nationality United States
ResidenceLatrobe, Pennsylvania
Orlando, Florida
SpouseWinifred Walzer Palmer
(1934–99)
(m. 1954–99, her death)
Kathleen Gawthrop
(m. 2005–16, his death)
Children2 daughters
Career
CollegeWake Forest College
Turned professional1954
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins95
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour62 (5th all time)
European Tour2
PGA Tour of Australasia2
PGA Tour Champions10
Best results in major championships
(wins: 7)
Masters TournamentWon: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964
PGA ChampionshipT2: 1964, 1968, 1970
U.S. OpenWon: 1960
The Open ChampionshipWon: 1961, 1962
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame1974 (member page)
PGA Tour
leading money winner		1958, 1960, 1962, 1963
PGA Player of the Year1960, 1962
Vardon Trophy1961, 1962, 1964, 1967
Sports Illustrated
Sportsman of the Year		1960
Bob Jones Award1971
Old Tom Morris Award1983
PGA Tour Lifetime
Achievement Award		1998
Payne Stewart Award2000
Presidential Medal
of Freedom		2004
Congressional Gold Medal2009

Arnold Daniel Palmer (September 10, 1929 – September 25, 2016) was an American professional golfer who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Dating back to 1955, he won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and the circuit now known as PGA Tour Champions. Nicknamed The King, he was one of golf's most popular stars and its most important trailblazer, the first superstar of the sport's television age, which began in the 1950s.

Palmer's social impact on behalf of golf was perhaps unrivaled among fellow professionals; his humble background and plain-spoken popularity helped change the perception of golf as an elite, upper-class pastime to a more populist sport accessible to middle and working classes.[1] Palmer was part of "The Big Three" in golf during the 1960s, along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who are widely credited with popularizing and commercializing the sport around the world.

In a career that spanned more than six decades, he won 62 PGA Tour titles from 1955 to 1973, placing him at that time behind only Sam Snead and Ben Hogan, and still fifth on the Tour's all-time victory list. He collected seven major titles in a six-plus-year domination, from the 1958 Masters to the 1964 Masters. He also 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.[2]

Early life

Palmer, age 23, while in the
U.S. Coast Guard in 1953
Palmer in 1953

Palmer was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a working-class steel mill town, the son of Doris (Morrison) and Milfred Jerome "Deacon" Palmer.[3][4] He learned golf from his father, who had suffered from polio at a young age and was head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, allowing young Arnold to accompany his father as he maintained the course.[5]

Palmer attended Wake Forest College on a golf scholarship.[6] He left upon the death of close friend Bud Worsham (1929–1950) and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for three years and had some time to continue to hone his golf skills. Palmer returned to college and competitive golf.[7]

By 1954 he was about to turn professional after winning at the U.S. Amateur in Detroit.[6] "That victory was the turning point in my life," he said. "It gave me confidence I could compete at the highest level of the game."[6] When reporters there asked Gene Littler who the young golfer was that was cracking balls on the practice tee, Littler said: "That's Arnold Palmer. He's going to be a great player some day. When he hits the ball, the earth shakes."[6]

After winning that match, Palmer stopped the job he had at the time of selling paint, and played in the Waite Memorial tournament in Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pennsylvania. There, he met his future wife, Winifred Walzer, and they would remain married for 45 years, until her death in 1999.[6]

On November 17, 1954, Palmer announced his intentions to turn pro.[6] "What other people find in poetry, I find in the flight of a good drive," Palmer said.[6]

Career

Palmer's first tour win (in his rookie season) was the 1955 Canadian Open, where he earned $2,400 for his efforts.[7] He raised his game status for the next several seasons. Palmer's charisma was a major factor in establishing golf as a compelling television event in the 1950s and 1960s, setting the stage for the popularity it enjoys today.[7] His first major championship win at the 1958 Masters Tournament cemented his position as one of the leading stars in golf, and by 1960 he had signed up as pioneering sports agent Mark McCormack's first client.[7]

In later interviews, McCormack listed five attributes that made Palmer especially marketable: his good looks; his relatively modest background (his father was a greenskeeper before rising to be club professional and Latrobe was a humble club); the way he played golf, taking risks and wearing his emotions on his sleeve; his involvement in a string of exciting finishes in early televised tournaments; and his affability.[7][8]

Palmer is also credited by many for securing the status of The Open Championship (British Open) among U.S. players. Before Ben Hogan won that championship in 1953, few American professionals had traveled to play in The Open, due to its travel requirements, relatively small prize purses, and the style of its links courses (radically different from most American courses). Palmer wanted to emulate the feats of Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Hogan before him to become a leading American golfer.[9]

In particular, Palmer traveled to Scotland in 1960, having already won both the Masters and U.S. Open, to try to emulate Hogan's feat of 1953, of winning all three in a single year.[7] Palmer played what he himself called the four best rounds of his career, shooting 71-69-67-69. His scores had the English excitedly claiming that Palmer may well be the greatest golfer ever to play the game.[10] British fans were excited about Palmer's playing in the Open. Although he failed to win, losing out to Kel Nagle by a single shot,[7] his subsequent Open wins in the early 1960s convinced many American pros that a trip to Britain would be worth the effort, and certainly secured Palmer's popularity among British and European fans, not just American ones.[10]

He played his first British Open in 1960, finishing runner-up, which was a great disappointment. But his appearance did at least draw American attention to the Open, which they had previously ignored.[11] But Palmer went on to win the Open in 1961 and 1962, last playing it in 1995. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient, called Palmer "a true gentleman, one of the greatest ever to play the game and a truly iconic figure in sport."[11] His participation in The Open Championship in the early 1960s "was the catalyst to truly internationalize golf," said European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley.[11]

Palmer won seven major championships:

Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournament victories, in four seasons. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award. He built up a wide fan base, often referred to as "Arnie's Army", and in 1967 he became the first man to reach $1 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour. By the late 1960s Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player had both acquired clear ascendancy in their rivalry, but Palmer won a PGA Tour event every year from 1955 to 1971 inclusive, and in 1971 he enjoyed a revival, winning four events.

Palmer won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average four times: 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1967. He played on six Ryder Cup teams: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1973.[7] He was the last playing captain in 1963, and captained the team again in 1975.[14]

Palmer was eligible for the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) from its first season in 1980, and he was one of the marquee names who helped it to become successful. He won ten events on the tour, including five senior majors.[7]

Palmer won the first World Match Play Championship in England, an event which was originally organized by McCormack to showcase his stable of players. Their partnership was one of the most significant in the history of sports marketing. Long after he ceased to win tournaments, Palmer remained one of the highest earners in golf due to his appeal to sponsors and the public.[15]

Palmer gives President Bush golf tips before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2004, he competed in the Masters Tournament for the last time, marking his 50th consecutive appearance in that event.[16] At his death, he was one of two Masters champions, along with Nicklaus, to be regular members of Masters organizer Augusta National Golf Club (as opposed to the honorary membership the club grants to all Masters champions).[17]

From 2007 until his death, Palmer served as an honorary starter for the Masters.[18] He retired from tournament golf on October 13, 2006, when he withdrew from the Champions Tours' Administaff Small Business Classic after four holes due to dissatisfaction with his own play. He played the remaining holes but did not keep score.[19]

Golf businesses

Palmer has had a diverse golf-related business career, including owning the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, which is the venue for the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational (renamed from the Bay Hill Invitational in 2007), helping to found The Golf Channel,[7][20] and negotiating the deal to build the first golf course in the People's Republic of China. This led to the formation of Palmer Course Design in 1972, which was renamed Arnold Palmer Design Company when the company moved to Orlando, Florida, in 2006.[7] Palmer's design partner was Ed Seay.

Palmer designed more than 300 golf courses in 37 states, 25 countries, and five continents (all except Africa and Antarctica), including the first modern course built in China, in 1988.[6][7] He purchased Latrobe Country Club, where his father used to be the club professional, in 1971 and owned it until his death.[7] The licensing, endorsements, spokesman associations and commercial partnerships built by Palmer and McCormack are managed by Arnold Palmer Enterprises. Palmer was also a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

A case was initiated in 1997 by Palmer and fellow golfer Tiger Woods, in an effort to stop the unauthorized sale of their images and alleged signatures in the memorabilia market, against Bruce Matthews, the owner of Gotta Have It Golf, Inc. and others. Matthews and associated parties counter-claimed that Palmer and associated businesses committed several acts, including breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.[21] On March 12, 2014, a Florida jury found in favor of Gotta Have It on its breach of contract and other related claims, rejected Palmer's and Woods's counterclaims, and awarded Gotta Have It $668,346 in damages.[22][23]

One of Palmer's most recent products (mass-produced starting in 2001) is a branded use of the beverage known as the Arnold Palmer, which combines sweet iced tea with lemonade.[7][24]

Legacy

As a measure of his popularity, Palmer, like Elvis Presley before him, was known simply as "The King." But in a life bursting from the seams with success, Palmer never lost his common touch. He was a man of the people, willing to sign every autograph, shake every hand, and tried to look every person in his gallery in the eye.

Golf Week[6]

"No one did more to popularize the sport than Palmer," according to Adam Schupak of Golf Week. "His dashing presence singlehandedly took golf out of the country clubs and into the mainstream. Quite simply, he made golf cool."[6] Jack Nicklaus said:

Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself.[25]

In 2000, Palmer was ranked the sixth greatest player of all time in Golf Digest magazine's rankings, and by 2008 had earned an estimated $30 million.[26][27]

Palmer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.[28][29] He was the first golfer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the second golfer, after Byron Nelson, to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.[30]

In addition to Palmer's impressive list of awards, he was bestowed the honor of kicking off the Masters Tournament beginning in 2007. From 2007 to 2009, Palmer was the sole honorary starter. In 2010, longtime friend and competitor Jack Nicklaus was appointed by Augusta National to join Palmer.[31] In 2012, golf's The Big Three reunited as South African golfer Gary Player joined for the ceremonial tee shots as honorary starters for the 76th playing of the Masters Tournament.[32] In describing the effect that Palmer had on the sport, biographer James Dodson stated:

We loved him with a mythic American joy... He represented everything that is great about golf. The friendship, the fellowship, the laughter, the impossibility of golf, the sudden rapture moment that brings you back, a moment that you never forget, that's Arnold Palmer in spades. He's the defining figure in golf.[6]

Personal life

The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida

Palmer was married to the former Winnie Walzer for 45 years and they had two daughters.[7] She died at age 65 on November 20, 1999, from complications due to ovarian cancer.[33] Palmer married his second wife Kathleen Gawthrop in 2005 in Hawaii.[34][35]

Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders (b.1987), is a professional golfer,[7] and grew up playing at Bay Hill, where he won the club championship at age 15. He attended Clemson University in South Carolina on a golf scholarship and turned pro in 2008. Saunders stated that Palmer's family nickname is "Dumpy."[36]

Palmer resided in Latrobe during spring and summer months, and wintered in Orlando and La Quinta, California.[37] He first visited Orlando in 1948 during a college match. His becoming a resident of Orlando helped the city become a recreation destination, "turning the entire state of Florida into a golfing paradise."[38] That included building one of the premier events on the PGA Tour there along with his contributing to new hospitals.[38] Tiger Woods, on hearing about Palmer's death, said "My kids were born at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, and his philanthropic work will be remembered along with his accomplishments in golf."[25] Arnold Palmer Boulevard is named in his honor.[38]

He was a member of the Freemasons since 1958.[39]

Pilot

Arnold Palmer sculpture unveiled at Laurel Valley Golf Course, Ligonier, PA, on September 10, 2009, in honor of Palmer's 80th birthday. Pictured: Arnold Palmer with sculptor Zenos Frudakis.

An avid pilot for over 50 years, Palmer thought he would pilot a plane for the last time on January 31, 2011,[7] and flew from Palm Springs in California to Orlando in his Cessna Citation X.[40] His pilot's medical certificate expired that day and he chose not to renew it. However, public FAA records show he was issued a new third-class medical in May 2011.

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe was named for him on his 70th birthday in 1999.[7][41] According to their website: "[The airport] started as the Longview Flying Field in 1924. It became J.D. Hill Airport in 1928, Latrobe Airport in 1935 and Westmoreland County Airport in 1978. Complimenting a rich history rooted in some of the earliest pioneers of aviation, the name was changed to Arnold Palmer Regional in 1999 to honor the Latrobe native golf legend who grew up less than a mile from the runway where he watched the world's first official airmail pickup in 1939 and later learned to fly himself."[42] There is a statue of Palmer made by Zenos Frudakis, holding a golf club in front of the airport's entrance, unveiled in 2007.[43]

Palmer's early "fear of flying" was what led him to pursue his pilot certificate. After almost 55 years, he logged nearly 20,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft.[44]

Palmer's personal website reads:

Next to marrying his wife, Winnie, and deciding on a professional career in golf, there's only one decision Arnold Palmer considers smarter. Learning how to fly an airplane.[45]

Books

  • A Life Well Played: My Stories (2016) ISBN 9781250085948
  • Reflections on the Game (2012, with Thomas Hauser. Originally published as Arnold Palmer: A Personal Journey, 1994) ISBN 9780002554688
  • Arnold Palmer: Memories, Stories, and Memorabilia from a Life on and off the Course (2004) ISBN 9781584793304
  • Playing by the Rules: The Rules of Golf Explained & Illustrated from a Lifetime in the Game (2002) ISBN 9780743450225
  • A Golfer's Life (1999, with James Dodson) ISBN 9780345414816
  • Arnold Palmer's Complete Book of Putting (1986, with Peter Dobereiner) ISBN 9780689116247
  • Arnold Palmer's Best 54 Golf Holes (1977) ISBN 9780385052597
  • Go for Broke! My Philosophy of Winning Golf (1973, with William Barry Furlong) ISBN 9780671214784
  • 495 Golf Lessons (1973, with Earl Puckett) ISBN 9780695804022
  • Golf Tactics (1970) ISBN 9780695804022
  • Situation Golf (1970) ISBN 978-0841500235
  • My Game and Yours (1965) ISBN 9780671471958

Death

Palmer died on September 25, 2016 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Shadyside) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while awaiting heart surgery.[7] He was admitted three days prior to undergo testing on his heart.[46] After his funeral, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered in his hometown at Latrobe Country Club.[47]

Tributes

From a humble start working at the local club in his beloved Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to superstardom as the face of golf around the globe, Arnold was the American Dream come to life... Today, Michelle and I stand with Arnie's Army in saluting the King.

President Barack Obama[48]

Palmer's life was also celebrated less than one week after his passing at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, just outside the Twin Cities, by both teams.[49][50][51] The celebration included a video tribute and a moment of silence during the Opening Ceremony, which also included tributes from the opposing captains - Davis Love III for Team USA and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke for Team Europe - and the opposing honorary captains - Nicklaus for Team USA and England's Tony Jacklin for Team Europe. During the matches, the players paid tribute to Palmer, which included wearing a special logo, button and pin. Palmer's bag from the 1975 Ryder Cup was also placed on the first tee as a tribute. Palmer had won more than 22 Ryder Cup matches and had also captained Team USA to two victories, in addition to holding or being tied for the records for youngest captain, most career singles points and most points in a single Ryder Cup.[51] PGA of America president Derek Sprague stated:

The game has never known a more enthusiastic sportsman than Arnold Palmer. So it is fitting that we pay tribute to Mr. Palmer during the 41st Ryder Cup, to celebrate it in a very special way, the life of an unforgettable champion and gracious ambassador of the game.[50]

Two days after a 17–11 victory, which marked the first American Ryder Cup triumph since 2008 at Valhalla and which Love dedicated to Palmer, the majority of the team attended the memorial service for Palmer at St. Vincent College in Latrobe and also brought the trophy after Palmer's daughter Amy asked the team if they could do so.[52]

Amateur wins (26)

  • 1946 WPIAL Championship, PIAA Championship
  • 1947 WPIAL Championship, PIAA Championship, Western Pennsylvania Junior, Western Pennsylvania Amateur
  • 1948 Southern Conference Championship, Sunnehanna Invitational, Western Pennsylvania Junior
  • 1950 Southern Intercollegiate, Western Pennsylvania Amateur, Greensburg Invitational
  • 1951 Western Pennsylvania Amateur, Worsharn Memorial
  • 1952 Western Pennsylvania Amateur, Greensburg Invitational
  • 1953 Ohio Amateur, Cleveland Amateur, Greensburg Invitational, Mayfield Heights Open, Evergreen Pitch and Putt Invitational
  • 1954 U.S. Amateur, Ohio Amateur, All-American Amateur, Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, Bill Waite Memorial

Amateur major wins (1)

Year Championship Winning score Runner-up
1954 U.S. Amateur 1 up United States Robert Sweeny Jr.

Results timeline

Tournament 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
U.S. Amateur R256 R64 R256 DNP DNP R16 1

DNP = Did not play
R256, R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10

Source:[53]

Professional wins (95)

PGA Tour wins (62)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Aug 20, 1955 Canadian Open −23 (64-67-64-70=265) 4 strokes United States Jack Burke, Jr.
2 Jul 1, 1956 Insurance City Open −10 (66-69-68-71=274) Playoff United States Ted Kroll
3 Jul 29, 1956 Eastern Open −11 (70-66-69-72=277) 2 strokes United States Dow Finsterwald
4 Feb 25, 1957 Houston Open −9 (67-72-71-69=279) 1 stroke United States Doug Ford
5 Mar 31, 1957 Azalea Open Invitational −6 (70-67-70-75=282) 1 stroke United States Dow Finsterwald
6 Jun 9, 1957 Rubber City Open Invitational −12 (71-66-67-68=272) Playoff United States Doug Ford
7 Nov 3, 1957 San Diego Open Invitational −17 (65-68-68-70=271) 1 stroke Canada Al Balding
8 Mar 23, 1958 St. Petersburg Open Invitational −8 (70-69-72-65=276) 1 stroke United States Dow Finsterwald, United States Fred Hawkins
9 Apr 6, 1958 Masters Tournament −4 (70-73-68-73=284) 1 stroke United States Doug Ford, United States Fred Hawkins
10 Jun 29, 1958 Pepsi Championship −11 (66-69-67-71=273) 5 strokes United States Jay Hebert
11 Jan 25, 1959 Thunderbird Invitational −18 (67-70-67-62=266) 3 strokes United States Jimmy Demaret, United States Ken Venturi
12 May 11, 1959 Oklahoma City Open Invitational −15 (73-64-67-69=273) 2 strokes United States Bob Goalby
13 Nov 29, 1959 West Palm Beach Open Invitational −7 (72-67-66-76=281) Playoff United States Gay Brewer, United States Pete Cooper
14 Feb 7, 1960 Palm Springs Desert Golf Classic −20 (67-73-67-66-65=338) 3 strokes United States Fred Hawkins
15 Feb 28, 1960 Texas Open Invitational −12 (69-65-67-75=276) 2 strokes United States Doug Ford, United States Frank Stranahan
16 Mar 6, 1960 Baton Rouge Open Invitational −9 (71-71-69-68=279) 7 strokes United States Jay Hebert, United States Ron Reif,
United States Doug Sanders
17 Mar 13, 1960 Pensacola Open Invitational −15 (68-65-73-67=273) 1 stroke United States Doug Sanders
18 Apr 10, 1960 Masters Tournament −6 (67-73-72-70=282) 1 stroke United States Ken Venturi
19 Jun 18, 1960 U.S. Open −4 (72-71-72-65=280) 2 strokes United States Jack Nicklaus (amateur)
20 Aug 7, 1960 Insurance City Open Invitational −14 (70-68-66-66=270) Playoff United States Bill Collins, United States Jack Fleck
21 Nov 27, 1960 Mobile Sertoma Open Invitational −14 (68-67-74-65=274) 2 strokes United States Johnny Pott
22 Jan 15, 1961 San Diego Open Invitational −13 (69-68-69-65=271) Playoff Canada Al Balding
23 Feb 13, 1961 Phoenix Open Invitational −10 (69-65-66-70=270) Playoff United States Doug Sanders
24 Feb 26, 1961 Baton Rouge Open Invitational −14 (65-67-68-66=266) 7 strokes United States Wes Ellis
25 Apr 30, 1961 Texas Open Invitational −14 (67-63-72-68=270) 1 stroke Canada Al Balding
26 Jun 25, 1961 Western Open −13 (65-70-67-69=271) 2 strokes United States Sam Snead
27 Jul 15, 1961 The Open Championship −4 (70-73-69-72=284) 1 stroke Wales Dai Rees
28 Feb 4, 1962 Palm Springs Golf Classic −17 (69-67-66-71-69=342) 3 strokes United States Jay Hebert, United States Gene Littler
29 Feb 11, 1962 Phoenix Open Invitational −15 (64-68-71-66=269) 12 strokes United States Billy Casper, United States Don Fairfield,
United States Bob McCallister, United States Jack Nicklaus
30 Apr 9, 1962 Masters Tournament −8 (70-66-69-75=280) Playoff South Africa Gary Player (2nd),
United States Dow Finsterwald (3rd)
31 Apr 29, 1962 Texas Open Invitational −11 (67-69-70-67=273) 1 stroke United States Joe Campbell, United States Gene Littler,
United States Mason Rudolph, United States Doug Sanders
32 May 6, 1962 Tournament of Champions −12 (69-70-69-68=276) 1 stroke United States Billy Casper
33 May 14, 1962 Colonial National Invitation +1 (67-72-66-76=281) Playoff United States Johnny Pott
34 Jul 13, 1962 The Open Championship −12 (71-69-67-69=276) 6 strokes Australia Kel Nagle
35 Aug 12, 1962 American Golf Classic −4 (67-69-70-70=276) 5 strokes United States Mason Rudolph
36 Jan 7, 1963 Los Angeles Open −10 (69-69-70-66=274) 3 strokes Canada Al Balding, South Africa Gary Player
37 Feb 12, 1963 Phoenix Open Invitational −15 (68-67-68-70=273) 1 stroke South Africa Gary Player
38 Mar 10, 1963 Pensacola Open Invitational −15 (69-68-69-67=273) 2 strokes United States Harold Kneece, South Africa Gary Player
39 Jun 16, 1963 Thunderbird Classic Invitational −11 (67-70-68-72=277) Playoff United States Paul Harney
40 Jul 1, 1963 Cleveland Open Invitational −11 (71-68-66-68=273) Playoff United States Tommy Aaron, United States Tony Lema
41 Jul 29, 1963 Western Open −4 (73-67-67-73=280) Playoff United States Julius Boros, United States Jack Nicklaus
42 Oct 6, 1963 Whitemarsh Open Invitational −7 (70-71-66-74=281) 1 stroke United States Lionel Hebert
43 Apr 12, 1964 Masters Tournament −12 (69-68-69-70=276) 6 strokes United States Dave Marr, United States Jack Nicklaus
44 May 18, 1964 Oklahoma City Open Invitational −11 (72-69-69-67=277) 2 strokes United States Lionel Hebert
45 May 2, 1965 Tournament of Champions −11 (66-69-71-71=277) 2 strokes United States Chi Chi Rodriguez
46 Jan 9, 1966 Los Angeles Open −11 (72-66-62-73=273) 3 strokes United States Miller Barber, United States Paul Harney
47 Apr 18, 1966 Tournament of Champions −5 (74-70-70-69=283) Playoff United States Gay Brewer
48 Nov 20, 1966 Houston Champions International −9 (70-68-68-69=275) 1 stroke United States Gardner Dickinson
49 Jan 29, 1967 Los Angeles Open −15 (70-64-67-68=269) 5 strokes United States Gay Brewer
50 Feb 19, 1967 Tucson Open Invitational −15 (66-67-67-73=273) 1 stroke United States Chuck Courtney
51 Aug 13, 1967 American Golf Classic −4 (70-67-72-67=276) 3 strokes United States Doug Sanders
52 Sep 24, 1967 Thunderbird Classic −5 (71-71-72-69=283) 1 stroke United States Charles Coody, United States Jack Nicklaus,
United States Art Wall, Jr.
53 Feb 4, 1968 Bob Hope Desert Classic −12 (72-70-67-71-68=348) Playoff United States Deane Beman
54 Sep 15, 1968 Kemper Open −12 (69-70-70-67=276) 4 strokes Australia Bruce Crampton, United States Art Wall, Jr.
55 Nov 30, 1969 Heritage Golf Classic −1 (68-71-70-74=283) 3 strokes United States Dick Crawford, United States Bert Yancey
56 Dec 7, 1969 Danny Thomas-Diplomat Classic −18 (68-67-70-65=270) 2 strokes United States Gay Brewer
57 Jul 26, 1970 National Four-Ball Championship
PGA Players (with United States Jack Nicklaus) 		−25 (61-67-64-67=259) 3 strokes Australia Bruce Crampton & United States Orville Moody,
United States Gardner Dickinson & United States Sam Snead,
United States George Archer & United States Bobby Nichols
58 Feb 14, 1971 Bob Hope Desert Classic −18 (67-71-66-68-70=342) Playoff United States Raymond Floyd
59 Mar 14, 1971 Florida Citrus Invitational −18 (66-68-68-68=270) 1 stroke United States Julius Boros
60 Jul 25, 1971 Westchester Classic −18 (64-70-68-68=270) 5 strokes United States Gibby Gilbert, United States Hale Irwin
61 Aug 1, 1971 National Team Championship
(with United States Jack Nicklaus) 		−27 (62-64-65-66=257) 6 strokes United States Julius Boros & United States Bill Collins,
New Zealand Bob Charles & Australia Bruce Devlin
62 Feb 11, 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic −17 (71-66-69-68-69=343) 2 strokes United States Jack Nicklaus, United States Johnny Miller

PGA Tour playoff record (14–10)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1956 Insurance City Open United States Ted Kroll Won with birdie on second extra hole
2 1957 Rubber City Open Invitational United States Doug Ford Won with birdie on sixth extra hole
3 1958 Azalea Open United States Howie Johnson Lost 18-hole playoff (Johnson:77, Palmer:78)
4 1959 West Palm Beach Open United States Gay Brewer, United States Pete Cooper Won with par on fourth extra hole
5 1960 Houston Classic United States Bill Collins Lost 18-hole playoff (Collins:69, Palmer:71)
6 1960 Insurance City Open United States Bill Collins, United States Jack Fleck Palmer won with birdie on third extra hole
Collins eliminated with birdie on first hole
7 1961 San Diego Open Invitational Canada Al Balding Won with birdie on first extra hole
8 1961 Phoenix Open Invitational United States Doug Sanders Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:67 Sanders:70)
9 1961 500 Festival Open Invitation United States Doug Ford Lost to birdie on second extra hole
10 1962 Masters Tournament South Africa Gary Player (2nd),
United States Dow Finsterwald (3rd) 		Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:68, Player:71, Finsterwald:77)
11 1962 Colonial National Invitation United States Johnny Pott Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:69, Pott:73)
12 1962 U.S. Open United States Jack Nicklaus Lost 18-hole playoff (Nicklaus:71, Palmer:74)
13 1963 Thunderbird Classic United States Paul Harney Won with par on first extra hole
14 1963 U.S. Open United States Julius Boros, United StatesJacky Cupit Lost 18-hole playoff (Boros:70, Cupit:73, Palmer:76)
15 1963 Cleveland Open United States Tommy Aaron, United States Tony Lema Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:67, Aaron:70, Lema:70)
16 1963 Western Open United States Julius Boros, United StatesJack Nicklaus Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:70, Boros:71, Nicklaus:73)
17 1964 Pensacola Open United States Miller Barber, South Africa Gary Player Lost 18-hole playoff (Player:71, Palmer:72, Barber:74)
18 1964 Cleveland Open United States Tony Lema Lost to birdie on first extra hole
19 1966 Bob Hope Desert Classic United States Doug Sanders Lost to birdie on first extra hole
20 1966 Tournament of Champions United States Gay Brewer Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:69, Brewer:73)
21 1966 U.S. Open United States Billy Casper Lost 18-hole playoff (Casper:69, Palmer:73)
22 1968 Bob Hope Desert Classic United States Deane Beman Won with par on second extra hole
23 1970 Byron Nelson Golf Classic United States Jack Nicklaus Lost to birdie on first extra hole
24 1971 Bob Hope Desert Classic United States Raymond Floyd Won with birdie on second extra hole

Source:[54]

Other wins (18)

Senior PGA Tour wins (10)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Dec 7, 1980 PGA Seniors Championship +1 (72-69-73-75=289) Playoff United States Paul Harney
2 Jul 12, 1981 U.S. Senior Open +9 (72-76-68-73=289) Playoff United States Billy Casper, United States Bob Stone
3 Jun 13, 1982 Marlboro Classic −8 (68-70-69-69=276) 4 strokes United States Billy Casper, United States Bob Rosburg
4 Aug 15, 1982 Denver Post Champions of Golf −5 (68-67-73-67=275) 1 stroke United States Bob Goalby
5 Dec 4, 1983 Boca Grove Seniors Classic −17 (65-69-70-67=271) 3 strokes United States Billy Casper
6 Jan 22, 1984 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship −12 (66-66-72=204) 2 strokes United States Don January
7 Jun 24, 1984 Senior Tournament Players Championship −6 (69-63-79-71=282) 3 strokes Australia Peter Thomson
8 Dec 2, 1984 Quadel Seniors Classic −11 (67-71-67=205) 1 stroke United States Lee Elder, United States Orville Moody
9 Jun 23, 1985 Senior Tournament Players Championship −14 (67-71-68-68=274) 11 strokes United States Miller Barber, United States Lee Elder,
United States Gene Littler, United States Charles Owens
10 Sep 18, 1988 Crestar Classic −13 (65-68-70=203) 4 strokes United States Lee Elder, United States Jim Ferree, United States Larry Mowry

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1980 PGA Seniors' Championship United States Paul Harney Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1981 U.S. Senior Open United States Billy Casper, United States Bob Stone Won 18-hole playoff (Palmer:70, Stone:74, Casper:77)
3 1984 Daytona Beach Seniors Golf Classic United States Orville Moody, United States Dan Sikes Moody won with birdie on second extra hole

Senior majors are shown in bold.

Other senior wins (5)

Major championships

Wins (7)

Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1958 Masters Tournament Tied for lead −4 (70-73-68-73=284) 1 stroke United States Doug Ford, United States Fred Hawkins
1960 Masters Tournament (2) 1 shot lead −6 (67-73-72-70=282) 1 stroke United States Ken Venturi
1960 U.S. Open 7 shot deficit −4 (72-71-72-65=280) 2 strokes United States Jack Nicklaus (amateur)
1961 The Open Championship 1 shot lead −4 (70-73-69-72=284) 1 stroke Wales Dai Rees
1962 Masters Tournament (3) 2 shot lead −8 (70-66-69-75=280) Playoff 1 South Africa Gary Player (2nd),
United States Dow Finsterwald (3rd)
1962 The Open Championship (2) 5 shot lead −12 (71-69-67-69=276) 6 strokes Australia Kel Nagle
1964 Masters Tournament (4) 5 shot lead −12 (69-68-69-70=276) 6 strokes United States Dave Marr, United States Jack Nicklaus

1 Defeated Player (2nd) and Finsterwald (3rd) in an 18-hole playoff – Palmer (68), Player (71) and Finsterwald (77). 1st, 2nd and 3rd places awarded in this playoff.

Results timeline

Tournament 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament DNP DNP T10 21 T7 1 3
U.S. Open CUT CUT T21 7 CUT T23 T5
The Open Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
PGA Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T40 T14
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament 1 T2 1 T9 1 T2 T4 4 CUT 27
U.S. Open 1 T14 2 T2 T5 CUT 2 2 59 T6
The Open Championship 2 1 1 T26 DNP 16 T8 DNP T10 DNP
PGA Championship T7 T5 T17 T40 T2 T33 T6 T14 T2 WD
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Masters Tournament T36 T18 T33 T24 T11 T13 CUT T24 T37 CUT
U.S. Open T54 T24 3 T4 T5 T9 T50 T19 CUT T59
The Open Championship 12 DNP T7 T14 DNP T16 T55 7 T34 DNP
PGA Championship T2 T18 T16 CUT T28 T33 T15 T19 CUT CUT
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Masters Tournament T24 CUT 47 T36 CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open 63 CUT CUT T60 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship CUT T23 T27 T56 CUT DNP DNP CUT DNP CUT
PGA Championship T72 76 CUT T67 CUT T65 CUT T65 CUT T63
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Masters Tournament CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP
PGA Championship CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Masters Tournament CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
PGA Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP

DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

Summary

Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 4 2 1 9 12 19 50 25
U.S. Open 1 4 1 10 13 18 33 24
The Open Championship 2 1 0 3 7 12 23 17
PGA Championship 0 3 0 4 6 13 37 24
Totals 7 10 2 26 38 62 143 90
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 26 (1958 Masters – 1965 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 6 (1966 Masters – 1967 U.S. Open)

Senior major championships

Wins (5)

Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1980 PGA Seniors' Championship +1 (72-69-73-75=289) Playoff1 United States Paul Harney
1981 U.S. Senior Open +9 (72-76-68-73=289) Playoff2 United States Billy Casper, United States Bob Stone
1984a General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship (2) −6 (69-63-79-71=282) 2 strokes United States Don January
1984 Senior Players Championship −12 (72-68-67-69=276) 3 strokes Australia Peter Thomson
1985 Senior Players Championship (2) −14 (67-71-68-68=274) 11 strokes United States Miller Barber, United States Lee Elder,
United States Gene Littler, United States Charles Owens

a This was the January edition of the tournament.
1 Palmer won this with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
2 Won in an 18-hole playoff, Palmer shot a (70) to Stone's (74) and Casper's (77).

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

  • Ryder Cup: 1961 (winners), 1963 (winners, playing captain), 1965 (winners), 1967 (winners), 1971 (winners), 1973 (winners), 1975 (winners, non-playing captain)
  • World Cup: 1960 (winners), 1962 (winners), 1963 (winners), 1964 (winners), 1966 (winners), 1967 (winners, individual winner)
  • Presidents Cup: 1996 (winners, non-playing captain)

See also

References

  1. ^ Reilly, Rick (June 17, 2013). "Sunday might never be the same". ESPN. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  2. ^ World Golf Hall of Fame website
  3. ^ Baggs, Mercer (September 10, 2014). "Arnie: Palmer's father an imposing, lasting figure". Golf Channel.
  4. ^ "A Country Club As His Backyard".
  5. ^ Stewart, Wayne, ed. (2007). The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-072-0.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Schupak, Adam (September 25, 2016). "Golf's most beloved figure, Arnold Palmer, dies at 87". Golfweek.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Anderson, Dave (September 26, 2016). "Arnold Palmer, the Magnetic Face of Golf in the '60s, Dies at 87". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  8. ^ Sounes, Howard (2004). The Wicked Game: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and the Story of Modern Golf. William Morrow. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-06-051386-3.
  9. ^ Dufresne, Chris (September 25, 2016). "'Arnold Palmer invented pro golf as it exists today': The sport's greatest ambassador dies at 87". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ a b Wright, Alfred (July 23, 1962). "Murder On A Moor". Sports Illustrated.
  11. ^ a b c Imray, Gerald (September 26, 2016). "Player Remembers Palmer's 'Dashing Style' & 'Knowing Smile'". ABC News.
  12. ^ "90th Open – Royal Birkdale 1961: Palmer takes the Open after a late challenge by Rees". The Open. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "91st Open – Royal Troon 1962: Palmer's victory signals a new era". The Open. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Arnie: Trevino remembers his Ryder Cup captain". Golf Channel. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "Arnold Palmer Biography". biography.com.
  16. ^ Boyette, John (September 25, 2016). "Masters legend Arnold Palmer dies". Augusta.com.
  17. ^ "Arnold Palmer dies at 87 of complications from heart problems". ESPN. September 25, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016. Palmer won the Masters in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964 and is one of two champions – along with Jack Nicklaus – who are members of Augusta National.
  18. ^ "Palmer still gets thrill". Augusta.com. April 10, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  19. ^ "'Arnie's Army' Gets Last Look at Legend". The New York Times. October 14, 2006.
  20. ^ Palmer, Arnold (2004). Arnold Palmer: Memories, Stories, and Memorabilia from a Life on and Off the Course. Stewart, Tabori and Chang. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-58479-330-4.
  21. ^ "Palmer v. Gotta Have It Golf Collectibles, Inc". 106 F.Supp.2d 1289 (2000) United States District Court, S.D. Florida. June 22, 2000. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  22. ^ Batterman, L. Robert; Cardozo, Michael; Freeman, Robert E.; Ganz, Howard L.; Katz, Wayne D.; Leccese, Joseph M. (May 17, 2014). "Tiger Woods Misses the Cut in Golf Memorabilia Dispute". National Law Review. Proskauer Rose LLP. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  23. ^ "Gotta Have It Golf, Inc. v. Arnold Palmer Enterprises, Inc., No. 03-19490 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Jury Verdict)". March 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  24. ^ "Arnold Palmer Enterprises". Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b "RIP, Arnold Palmer: Obama, Nicklaus, Woods and others pay tribute to 'The King'". syracuse.com. Associated Press. September 26, 2016.
  26. ^ Yocom, Guy (July 2000). "50 Greatest Golfers of All Time: And What They Taught Us". Golf Digest. Retrieved December 5, 2007.[dead link]
  27. ^ Callahan, Tom (September 2009). "Palmer in his Prime". Golf Digest. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  28. ^ Dulac, Gerry (September 30, 2009). "Arnold Palmer joining exclusive gold club". Pittsburg Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  29. ^ "Arnold Palmer receives Congressional Gold Medal". PGA Tour. September 12, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  30. ^ Parkinson, John (September 12, 2012). "Golfer Arnold Palmer Honored With Congressional Gold Medal". ABC News.
  31. ^ "Nicklaus to join Palmer as honorary starter at Masters". USA Today. Associated Press. August 31, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  32. ^ Bonk, Thomas (July 5, 2011). "Player to Join Palmer, Nicklaus as Honorary Starter at 2012 Masters". Masters.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2012. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2011-07-11 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Arnold Palmer's Wife Dies". CBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  34. ^ "Palmer gets remarried in Hawaii ceremony". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 28, 2005. p. B-5.
  35. ^ "Arnold Palmer marries again". Golf Today. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  36. ^ Macur, Juliet (June 14, 2011). "Arnold Palmer's Grandson Makes Cut for US Open". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  37. ^ "Arnold Palmer... A Biography". ArnoldPalmer.com. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  38. ^ a b c "Arnold Palmer dies, Orlando loses its king of sports and charity". Orlando Sentinel. September 26, 2016.
  39. ^ "Farewell Bro. Arnold Palmer". Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  40. ^ "Arnold Palmer in cockpit for last time". ESPN. February 1, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  41. ^ "Air facility named for golf great". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. September 11, 1999. p. B5.
  42. ^ "Arnold Palmer Regional Airport – About the Airport (LBE)". Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  43. ^ "Zenos Frudakis – Public Monuments and Portrait Sculptures: Arnold Palmer, Latrobe". ZenosFrudakis.com.
  44. ^ Pope, Stephen (February 1, 2011). "Capt. Arnie's Final Flight". Flying. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  45. ^ "Arnold and His Love of Aviation". arniesarmy.org.
  46. ^ Dulac, Gerry (September 26, 2016). "Golf legend, Latrobe native Arnold Palmer dies at 87". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  47. ^ "Report: Arnold Palmer's Death Due to Heart Complications". Golf.com. September 26, 2016.
  48. ^ Korte, Gregory (September 26, 2016). "How Obama paid tribute to Arnold Palmer". USA Today.
  49. ^ Zgoda, Jerry (September 27, 2016). "Ryder Cup Teams Play on in Arnold Palmer's Memory". RyderCup.com.
  50. ^ a b DiMeglio, Steve (September 26, 2016). "Arnold Palmer will be honored during Ryder Cup". USA Today.
  51. ^ a b Corrigan, James (September 27, 2016). "Ryder Cup 2016 will be a fitting tribute to ultimate competitor Arnold Palmer". The Telegraph.
  52. ^ Porter, Kyle. "Rickie Fowler takes Ryder Cup trophy to Arnold Palmer's memorial". CBS Sports.
  53. ^ "USGA Championship Database". Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  54. ^ Barkow, Al (1989). The History of the PGA TOUR. Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-26145-4.
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