Palmer withdraws, says he through with competitive golf

[Gxgolfer]

Palmer withdraws, says he through with competitive golf

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ, AP Sports Writer

October 13, 2006

 

SPRING, Texas (AP) -- Arnold Palmer quit keeping score after four holes in a Champions Tour event Friday, then tearfully said it was time for him to stop playing competitive golf.

 

"I've been doing this for a long time and, first of all, to stand out there and not be able to make something happen is very traumatic in my mind," Palmer said. "The people, they all want to see a good shot, and you know it and you can't give them that good shot. That's when it's time."

 

The 77-year-old Palmer was making only his second appearance on the 50-and-older circuit this year. He hit two balls into the water on the fourth hole, then said he was withdrawing because of a sore lower back. Even so, he finished the round with Lee Trevino and John Mahaffey, entertaining the gallery following him at the Administaff Small Business Classic.

 

Palmer, who won four Masters among his seven major championships and was responsible for golf's first big boost in popularity, said he would play in some charity events, "but now there are no more thoughts of tournament golf." He has played in the Father-Son Challenge with his grandson the last couple of years.

 

Trevino sensed the end of an era and asked Palmer to sign his ball and a glove when they finished the round.

 

"When he putted out I grabbed the ball and I had the Sharpie in my back pocket and then while he had the Sharpie, I said, 'Sign that glove, too,"' Trevino said. "We didn't take his shoes."

 

Palmer's eyes welled with tears as he went through interviews following the round with a large delegation of "Arnie's Army" huddled around him at Augusta Pines Golf Course.

 

"I made every move in the bag today to make a good shot and I wasn't very successful," Palmer said. "That's not surprising. It just didn't come today. It's been working its way into my repertoire. It's tough and it's emotional for me because it's my life."

 

Palmer played his final PGA Tour event at the 2004 Masters, a record 50th consecutive start at Augusta National. His first victory at the Masters in 1958 is where "Arnie's Army" was created, a time when television began to take an interest in golf and had the charismatic Palmer to bring the masses to the game.

 

Known universally in golf as "The King," Palmer joined the PGA Tour in 1955 and won the Canadian Open that year for his first professional victory. He won the last of his 62 PGA Tour titles in the 1973 Bob Hope Classic, and he last won a Champions Tour event in 1988 at the Crestar Classic. He's fourth on the PGA Tour victory list with 62, won 10 times on the 50-and-over tour -- including five majors -- and also won the 1954 U.S. Amateur.

 

Palmer did not play his first Champions Tour event this year until last month outside Baltimore. He continued to play the Administaff Small Business Classic because of a relationship with the company.

 

Trevino knew early in the round that Palmer was having trouble. Palmer was 8 over through four holes when he withdrew.

 

"After the third hole he was ready to throw it in," Trevino said. "I said, `I'll get a cart, you don't have to play.' He said `No I can't go. I can't leave, but please don't put a score down."'

 

Palmer said he finished the round because he owed it to his fans, a trait that followed Palmer throughout his Hall of Fame career.

 

"My toenails were aching," Palmer said. "I took a bunch of pills and I made it and I feel fine now. I'm still aching. I'm glad I did the 18 holes. I sat down a couple of times and I wasn't sure I'd get back up."

 

Palmer said he would spend more time with his other business pursuits.

 

"It isn't that I'm not busy," Palmer said. "I've got a lot to do. I'm going to concentrate on building golf courses now and really spend a lot of time doing that. I've got quite a few on the books ready to go. That's going to be my next major passion."

[Ducky]

Sad to hear, but he has had a very good run to play competitive golf until 77.

[Asleep]

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Damn. Just damn.

[raehtz10]

Like the variation on the old saying...Legends never die, they just fade away.

He just walked away from the final phase of his career/life with a whisper, not the fanfare that he deserves.

[JHR]

They interviewed him at the end of his round yesterday on TGC and he was very emotional, class guy and everyone in golf owes him a big thank you for all they have.

[Langlands]

In my opinon Palmer is the guy who has made pro golf the major sport it is today, not Tiger Woods. A real leglend.

[hksaikung]

So long arnie , we miss you already

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

[pitbull808]

Fantastic pics. Thank you for the new wallpaper's.

 

Arnie may have "whispered" away but somehow I think that's more in tune with the kind of guy he is. I watched him a few times when the Champions were here in Hawaii. The way he carried himself and was so open to his fans, you knew where his heart was and not in something filled with long speeches and honors for him. He played the game with all his heart and gave it a lot of his to the fans and followers. The golf world will always be better because he played the game.

[freddiec]

Thanks for the pics. I love Arnie. There will never be another Arnold Palmer , thats for sure. He is one of the greatest champions ever, but i think his legacy will be his smile on the course and the smiles he put on peoples faces. His charisma is truly one of a kind. I always enjoyed watching him play, even when he was shooting 80. I was really impressed with how much golf he has played over the last few years , even when he had numerous aches and paines. It truly showed how much he enjoyed being out there. He never gave up. What a role model!!! What a man.

[golfer.61]

"The King".....a man's man.....great pics thanks....

[Leftystar]

Arnie is a "True Professional" - I wish more guys on the PGA Tour had the pride in being a golf professional that he has. Finishing the round that he started - for the fans. :drinks:

 

IMO - There are way to many PGA Tour player withdrawing from tournoments/rounds for even the slighest reasons. Listening to Arnie comments on how he felt obligated to finish the round and tough it out through the pain he was feeling - for the fans - that in my eyes is truely something special.

 

Tiger is another "True Professional" - finish what he starts, the touney he won with food posioning comes to mind. It will be interesting to see if Tiger can keep it up for the next 20 years like Arnie.

 

Arnie will be missed by golf fans world wide. :cheesy:

[johnevans1968]

Form is temporary - Class is for ever!!

 

Arnie will never leave the game in my mind - he is it's history!!

[choeppner]

I don't think Arnie will ever fade away. He will be missed in the sport for sure, but if not for him, I odn't see golf being what it is today. He'll be missed, but remembered forever.

 

-CHRIS-

[przero]

"Heroes come and go.....Legends are forever!"

[Placebo]

Thanks Arnie......

 

Can't wait to see the gems you design in the future!

[drewspin]

The penultimate sportsman.

 

The King is pure class.