Arnold Palmer passes away

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Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Watched many of his games in classics over the years.

Never to be forgotten.

RIP

The man from Latrobe, Pa., won seven major titles: He was the first to win four Masters, and breathed new life into the British Open—which he won twice—by encouraging his fellow American pros to cross the Atlantic to play despite meager purses and poor playing conditions. Golf owes a great deal to Arnold Palmer, but perhaps his legacy is no more keenly felt than in the British Open. The game’s oldest major might not be held in such great esteem if not for Palmer, who died Sunday at age 87. Although Sam Snead won the Open in 1946 and Ben Hogan triumphed in 1953, American involvement in the post-World War II years was almost nonexistent. Palmer made his peers see the light.
In 1960, Palmer won the Masters and U.S. Open and had his eyes on the Grand Slam. The British Open’s 100th anniversary was held at St. Andrews that year. What better stage for the game’s marquee name to reveal his talents to British golf fans?
Palmer made the trip and finished second to Kel Nagle. He returned in 1961 and won at Royal Birkdale, and successfully defended his championship the following year at Troon. His name on the old Claret Jug was nothing compared with the influence it had on the other leading Americans.

“The R&A and the Open Championship will forever remember Arnold for coming over in 1960, and then winning in 1961 and 62,” former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said.
“It was still in the immediate post-war era, and many Americans didn’t come over. Hogan had won in 1953, obviously, but Arnold came and brought the others with him.