Golf Legend Arnold Palmer dies at 87 read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1006-golf-legend-arnold-palmer-dies-at-87

American golf legend Arnold Palmer has died in Pittsburgh at the age of 87.

Palmer died at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was undergoing heart tests.

Palmer, one of golf's greatest players whose immense popularity drew a legion of fans known as "Arnie's Army" and helped propel the game just as television was coming of age.

The United States Golf Association also confirmed his death in a tweet calling him "golf's greatest ambassador".

The golf legend won his last major championship in 1964 and his last PGA Tour event in 1973, but in the 43 years since then his status as an international icon has only grown. Palmer ranked among the most important figures in golf history, and it went well beyond his seven major championships and 62 PGA Tour wins.

“Arnold is the reason golf enjoys the popularity it does today," Jack Nicklaus said. “He made golf attractive to the television-viewing public. There never has been anyone like him before in the game of golf, and there probably won’t be another like him again.”

“If it wasn’t for Arnold, golf wouldn’t be as popular as it is now,” Tiger Woods said in 2004 when Palmer played in his last Masters.

The world has likely never seen anybody who loved golf more than Palmer did. He played or hit balls virtually every day of his life.

 

Palmer stopped playing the Masters in 2004 and hit the ceremonial tee shot every year until 2016, when age began to take a toll and he struggled with his balance.

Palmer was a seven-time major winner, taking home 4 Masters titles, one US Open title and one Open title. His popularity did wonders for the sport of golf. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012.

 

 

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