Golfing Legend Arnold Palmer Dead At 87

Arnold Palmer, legendary professional golfer, died Sunday, the U.S. Golf Association (USGA) said. He was 87.



"We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf's greatest ambassador," the USGA said.



Palmer died in Pittsburgh, near his lifetime home of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, according to multiple reports.



Nicknamed the King, Palmer was a seven-time major winner, well-loved by the golfing community, who brought the game from the clubs out to the masses when the television era began at 1950s.



"We loved him with a mythic American joy," said Palmer biographer James Dodson on his death, according to Golfweek.com. "He represented everything that is great about golf. The friendship, the fellowship, the laughter, the impossibility of golf, the sudden rapture moment that brings you back, a moment that you never forget, that's Arnold Palmer in spades. He's the defining figure in golf."



His passing was met with emotional reactions from the world of golf.



Tiger Woods, a legend of his own weight who has 14 majors, tweeted: "Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs. Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend.



"It's hard to imagine golf without you or anyone more important to the game than the King," he added.



Young professional golfer Rickie Fowler wrote: Legends never die... you will live on forever Arnie."



ESPN Analyst Jay Bilas said: "We've lost 'The King' and 'The Greatest' in the same year. How lucky we are to have had them both. RIP Arnie and Ali."



Muhammad Ali, one of the leading sports figures of the last century, died in June. -