Golf

Goodbye Arnold

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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 07: Honorary starter Arnold Palmer is introduced as Gary Player (R) looks on during the ceremonial tee off to start the first round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Golfing legend Arnold Palmer passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 87, leaving behind his wife Kit and two daughters.

‘The King’ changed the face of the game as the first golfer to dominate on television sets with his 92 career victories, which started back to 1955.

He remained an inspiration throughout the years, evidenced by Tiger Woods’ birthday tweet on the 10th of September.

Palmer came from a humble background and popularised golf by removing the elitist stigma previously attached to the game.

He was the oldest of the ‘Big Three,’ which included Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. The trio are credited as being the most influential golfers of the pre-Tiger Woods era.

‘Jack won majors for 25 years; I won them for 20; Arnold won them for six,’ said Player. ‘But because he was so charismatic, because he did so much for golf, because the people loved him so dearly, they thought he was still winning. And, you know what? He was.’

The Pennsylvania local was one of the original 13 inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame and will not be forgotten.

‘He was the king of our sport and always will be,’ Jack Nicklaus lamented.