It has been reported that Palmer passed away at the hospital while under going cardiac testing. He is survived by his second wife, two daughters, six grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren. The news spread quickly over night with the golfing community coming out in force on social media to show their love and admiration for the man the USGA called “golf’s greatest ambassador.”
RIP the King. Professional golf is what it is because of Arnold. #ArniesArmy #TheKing
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) September 26, 2016
Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs. Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 26, 2016
It feels empty this morning...#RIPTheKing #missyou
— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) September 26, 2016
Palmer is credited with bringing the game of golf to a global audience during his hugely successful career in the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Palmer helped to raise the sport’s profile using the new medium of television and quickly became golf’s first superstar player."He was one of my best friends, closest friends, and was for a long, long time. I will miss him greatly." -Jack Nicklaus#ArniesArmy pic.twitter.com/s7X73sChPu
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 26, 2016
RIP Arnold Palmer #RulesForEverydayLiving @garyplayer #jacknicklaus @PGATOUR @PGAcom pic.twitter.com/RJwQqfdlWU
— David Blair (@crosshairtrader) September 26, 2016
The American’s success on the golf course included seven major wins as well as 62 PGA Tour wins. Four of those majors came at the prestigious Augusta National, where the King won the Green Jacket an astonishing four-times (1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964). Last night The Masters paid homage to the man who “answered the calling for Masters greatness throughout his career.”
A statement on The Masters’ website read, “Arnold’s bold and daring approach to the game, combined with his citizenship, warmth, humor, humility and grace, were truly the signature of the man that we came to know, and will fondly remember, as The King. His presence at Augusta National will be sorely missed, but his impact on the Masters remains immeasurable – and it will never wane.”
Adding at the end, “Most importantly, we, his friends at Augusta National Golf Club, will always love him.”