As a member of Wake Forest's golf team, Arnold Palmer won, among other things, the Southern Conference individual title, receiving the trophy for top individual honors here from Southern Conference chairman E.P. Hagler.As a member of Wake Forest's golf team, Arnold Palmer won, among other things, the Southern Conference individual title, receiving the trophy for top individual honors here from Southern Conference chairman E.P. Hagler.
Palmer's first professional win came at the 1955 Canadian Open, where he defeated Jackie Burke Jr. by four strokes.Palmer's first professional win came at the 1955 Canadian Open, where he defeated Jackie Burke Jr. by four strokes.
Palmer, left, and Sam Snead were tied for the 54-hole lead at the 1958 Masters before Palmer eventually won his first green jacket by a stroke with a 4-under 284 total. Snead shot a final-round 79 to finish six strokes back.Palmer, left, and Sam Snead were tied for the 54-hole lead at the 1958 Masters before Palmer eventually won his first green jacket by a stroke with a 4-under 284 total. Snead shot a final-round 79 to finish six strokes back.
Palmer won his first U.S. Open in 1960 at Cherry Hills CC, where he shot a 4-under 280 total to beat Jack Nicklaus by two strokes.Palmer won his first U.S. Open in 1960 at Cherry Hills CC, where he shot a 4-under 280 total to beat Jack Nicklaus by two strokes.
A year after winning his first Masters and British Open, Arnold Palmer captured the British Open with a one-stroke victory over Dai Rees at Royal Birkdale.A year after winning his first Masters and British Open, Arnold Palmer captured the British Open with a one-stroke victory over Dai Rees at Royal Birkdale.
Jack Nicklaus, left, and Sam Snead, center, joined Arnold Palmer here on the first tee at Royal Troon for the 1962 British Open, a tournament Palmer would win for a second straight year.Jack Nicklaus, left, and Sam Snead, center, joined Arnold Palmer here on the first tee at Royal Troon for the 1962 British Open, a tournament Palmer would win for a second straight year.
Arnie's Army was everywhere during the 1960s, including here at the 1967 Houston Champions International, where he finished second to Frank Beard after Beard sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole.Arnie's Army was everywhere during the 1960s, including here at the 1967 Houston Champions International, where he finished second to Frank Beard after Beard sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
After using Bay Hill as a place to relax and fine tune his game for years, Arnold Palmer made the club his own in 1969, acquiring it for $3 million.After using Bay Hill as a place to relax and fine tune his game for years, Arnold Palmer made the club his own in 1969, acquiring it for $3 million.
Seen here in 1972, Palmer captured the last of his 62 career PGA Tour titles with a two-stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller at the 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic.Seen here in 1972, Palmer captured the last of his 62 career PGA Tour titles with a two-stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller at the 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic.
In 1980, Arnold Palmer embarked upon his senior career, winning the first of three senior majors with a playoff victory over Paul Harney at the Senior PGA Championship at Turnberry Isle CC in Miami.In 1980, Arnold Palmer embarked upon his senior career, winning the first of three senior majors with a playoff victory over Paul Harney at the Senior PGA Championship at Turnberry Isle CC in Miami.
The beginning of the major championship farewell tour for Palmer began at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he waved goodbye after finishing at 16 over par to miss the cut.The beginning of the major championship farewell tour for Palmer began at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he waved goodbye after finishing at 16 over par to miss the cut.
Next up for Palmer was saying goodbye at the 1995 British Open at St. Andrews, where he crossed the Swilcan bridge for the final time as a competitor.Next up for Palmer was saying goodbye at the 1995 British Open at St. Andrews, where he crossed the Swilcan bridge for the final time as a competitor.
Arnold Palmer is still The King around Bay Hill, but he may have a pretty good successor in Tiger Woods after Woods won four consecutive tournaments there from 2000 (pictured) to 2003.Arnold Palmer is still The King around Bay Hill, but he may have a pretty good successor in Tiger Woods after Woods won four consecutive tournaments there from 2000 (pictured) to 2003.
Woods and Palmer share a laugh after Tiger wins the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational held at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.Woods and Palmer share a laugh after Tiger wins the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational held at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
In July 2000, Arnold Palmer played his 1,000th career tour event at the Instinet Classic in New Jersey.In July 2000, Arnold Palmer played his 1,000th career tour event at the Instinet Classic in New Jersey.
After 50 years of walking the fairways of Augusta National, Arnold Palmer said farewell to the Masters as a competitor in 2004.After 50 years of walking the fairways of Augusta National, Arnold Palmer said farewell to the Masters as a competitor in 2004.
After getting shutout for the first time in his career at the 2005 Wendy's Skins Game, Palmer said, "I wasn't a factor, and I don't like that at all." As for his future in the event? "My saying nothing should tell you something," he added.After getting shutout for the first time in his career at the 2005 Wendy's Skins Game, Palmer said, "I wasn't a factor, and I don't like that at all." As for his future in the event? "My saying nothing should tell you something," he added.
His playing days at Augusta National may be over, but Arnold Palmer, seen here in 2005, is still a fixture at the Masters.His playing days at Augusta National may be over, but Arnold Palmer, seen here in 2005, is still a fixture at the Masters.
