Go to contents

Golf legend Arnold Palmer dies at the age of 87

Posted September. 27, 2016 07:38,   

Updated September. 27, 2016 07:57

한국어

The King of Golf has left the green field for good. Legendary American golfer Arnold Palmer died on Sunday from heart attack. He was 87.

Affectionately dubbed as the “King,” Palmer defined a golden era of his sports along with other golf giants such as Jack Nicklaus (America) and Gary Player (Republic of South Africa). Since his debut in 1955, Palmer has won a total of 95 wins in his professional career including 62 wins that he chalked up in the PGA Tours, and got enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

Having lifted four Masters Championship trophies out of seven wins in major golf competitions, Palmer also went by the nickname “Man of Augusta” after the place that hosted the Masters games. Having participated in the Masters for 50 times between 1955 and 2004, the golf legend had hit the Masters' ceremonial first tee shot since 2007, but skipped the ceremony this year for bad shoulder.

Palmer played a key role in popularizing golf thanks to his aggressive style. In terms of the number of PGA wins, his record stands at 5th, but when it comes to popular support, he was second to none. Whenever he went, he was tailed by a swarm of fans called “Arnie’s Army.” One columnist from the Golf Week compared the popularity of the late golfer with that of Elvis Presley.

 

As the first golfer to surpass the mark of 100,000 dollars in annual PGA Tour prize money, Arnold Palmer was also a trailblazer in the commercial drive of golf industry. Having spread of the seeds of sports marketing by running the brand of golf gear and apparels named after his name, he hosted golf competitions to nurture future talent and established medical centers for women and children.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf's greatest ambassador,” said the USGA, sending its condolences on Twitter. Tiger Woods also wrote on his Twitter account that “It’s hard to imagine golf without you. Thank Arnold for your friendship, counsel, and a lot of laughs.”