Palmer’s influence on golf goes beyond his brilliance as player

Anyone with a connection to professional golf should raise a glass to the memory of the late great Arnold Palmer.

The King changed the sport by introducing golf to a whole new audience – the Seve Ballesteros of his time with mass appeal and was one of our greatest ambassadors.

People loved watching him play and he seemed to have a lot of time for them. He was a cool character and it was easy to see why he became so popular.

When I won the US Amateur in 2006, one of the great thrills was to have my name on a trophy alongside Arnold Palmer.

Great players, from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson and Bobby Jones to Jack Nicklaus had won the trophy in the past but Arnold’s name was one that jumped out straightaway.

It was an amazing feeling to see my name on a trophy alongside such illustrious names.

More than 90 professional wins and seven majors were the hard evidence of his unquestionable ability as a golfer.

He was also a shrewd businessman – having been part of a team that has designed more than 200 golf courses around the world.

He also had a string of endorsements which included his very own fizzy drink and in 2008, his off-course earnings that year alone were estimated at £23million.

But it was the King’s ability to change the perception of golf as an elite sport to a game for the people which should be his greatest legacy.

No one should overlook the huge amount of charity work Palmer carried out, particularly through his Arnie’s Army foundation, while his PGA Tour event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, generates fortunes for charities every year.

I’m sure this week’s Ryder Cup will mark Palmer’s passing in a fitting and proper style.

Some people have suggested it could help inspire the United States to victory – but I think the impact of the sad news will be felt on both sides.

Golf is such a global game and a lot of the European players, such as Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, had met Arnold on a regular basis and were very close to the great man.

One thing is for sure. What Palmer did for the game of golf is one of the main reasons why so many millions of people around the world will be tuning in around the world to watch this week’s Ryder Cup.

“Ryder Cup will mark Palmer’s passing in a fitting and proper style”