The legend known as Arnold Palmer, who most come to know through a popular drink he came up with, was the person responsible for helping transform golf from an elite country club pursuit into a sport for the masses, winning every major honor the game has to offer along the way has died Sunday at age 87.
The Golf Channel was made aware by Alastair Johnson, chief executive of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, which Palmer co-founded, among his many successful business enterprises — that Palmer died Sunday afternoon from complications of heart problems.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf’s greatest ambassador, at age 87,” the USGA said Sunday night. Multiple reports said he died in Pittsburgh, near his lifetime home of Latrobe, Pa.
Throughout his career, Arnold Palmer became known as “the King,” pursued a rivalry with Jack Nicklaus, whose own nickname, “the Golden Bear,” illustrated the differences in their styles and personalities — that thrilled fans for three decades. They competed because there were many years that no one else played the game at their level.
In a note posted to Twitter on Sunday, Nicklaus called Palmer one of his best friends, saying they last spoke on Palmer’s birthday, Sept. 10. Palmer sounded great, Nicklaus said.
“I know he was in Pittsburgh trying to find out how to make himself better,” Nicklaus wrote. “That’s what Arnold has always tried to do. He has always been a fighter and he never gave up on anything. Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself.”