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.
Thanks Arnie for 25 years of friendship. Can’t talk golf without thinking about the King. Happy 87th.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 10, 2016
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 in a 2009 interview. ‘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.’
“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
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.
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and President Obama lead the tributes to golfing legend Arnold Palmer: https://t.co/ToveBPJlQi pic.twitter.com/Cu6mRuAP05
— CNN International (@cnni) September 26, 2016