US golf legend Arnold Palmer dies at 87
US golfer Arnold Palmer, viewed as one of the greatest and most influential players in the sport’s history, has died at the age of 87.
Palmer died at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was undergoing heart tests, .
During a long career he won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including seven majors. The US Golf Association “golf’s greatest ambassador”.
As tributes flooded in from across the world of golf, Tiger Woods : “Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs. Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend.”
Palmer attracted thousands of diehard fans known as “Arnie’s army” and helped to promote the game into the television age.
The golfer was loved as an everyman superstar, and even had a drink named after him - the Arnold Palmer cocktail, made from one part iced tea and one part lemonade.
He also gave his name to a professional tournament - The Arnold Palmer Invitational, held each March at his private golf resort in Bay Hill, Florida.
Arnold Palmer was the most important golfer to play the game, says golf writer Iain Carter.
“His force of charisma put the game on the map and it never dimmed”, he added.
Fellow golfing great and a close friend of Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, said he would “miss him greatly”.
“We just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and in all of sports,” . “Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend.”
“Remembering the special times I spent with Mr Palmer at Bay Hill. A true pioneer for our sport. Forever remembered,” , hours after winning .
“My heart aches with passing of the King. What he did for golf cannot be measured. Athlete, pioneer, philanthropist, family man, and much more...RIP Arnie,” US golfer Zach Johnson.
US President Barack Obama also paid tribute to “The King”, a picture of him visiting the White House.
The R&A, which runs The Open and jointly governs golf worldwide, called Palmer a gentleman who would live long in people’s memories.
Its chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “It is with great sadness that we have awoken to hear the news of Arnold Palmer’s passing. He was a true gentleman, one of the greatest ever to play the game, and a truly iconic figure in sport.
“His contribution to The Open Championship was, and remains, immeasurable. He will be missed and forever remembered by all at The R&A and throughout the world of golf as a charismatic and global champion of our game.”
Arnold Palmer was the first golf player to make $1m from playing the sport. But he made much more than that from his many off-course endorsements, putting his name to a variety of products and services, from United Airlines to Cadillac cars.
Nowadays it is commonplace for sports stars to lend their names to commercial products.
But half a century ago such an association between sport and brands was ground-breaking. Palmer, in association with marketer Mark McCormack, was the trailblazer in breaking this new ground.
With his winning persona and looks, not to mention golfing ability, Palmer showed that a sportsman or woman could make more from commercial deals than from prize money alone.