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| Legend Palmer bids golf farewell | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Golf legend Arnold Palmer says he has played his final competitive event. | |
| The 77-year-old, who won seven major titles, made the announcement after retiring from the first round of a Champions Tour event with a bad back. | |
| "I think this is it," said a tearful Palmer, who won four Masters, two Opens and one US Open in a glittering career. | |
| "I'll play some father-son events, some charity events, and that's about it. Right now, there's just no thoughts of any more tournament golf." | "I'll play some father-son events, some charity events, and that's about it. Right now, there's just no thoughts of any more tournament golf." |
| Palmer turned professional in 1955 and won the first of his Masters titles in 1958. | Palmer turned professional in 1955 and won the first of his Masters titles in 1958. |
| That victory saw the creation of "Arnie's Army" - a loyal legion of fans. | |
| He also won at Augusta in 1960, 1962 and 1964 and claimed the US Open in 1960 and the Open in 1961 and 1962. | He also won at Augusta in 1960, 1962 and 1964 and claimed the US Open in 1960 and the Open in 1961 and 1962. |
| I may stop playing now, start exercising and get in shape Arnold Palmer | I may stop playing now, start exercising and get in shape Arnold Palmer |
| Palmer won 62 tour titles in total before joining the Champions Tour aged 50. | Palmer won 62 tour titles in total before joining the Champions Tour aged 50. |
| He won 10 events, including the US Senior Open in 1980 and the Senior PGA Championship in 1984 and 1985. | He won 10 events, including the US Senior Open in 1980 and the Senior PGA Championship in 1984 and 1985. |
| His last tournament win came in 1988 and his last PGA Tour event was the Masters in 2004. | His last tournament win came in 1988 and his last PGA Tour event was the Masters in 2004. |
| "I've been doing this a long, long time," Palmer said. "First of all, to stand out there and not be able to make something happen is very traumatic in my mind. | "I've been doing this a long, long time," Palmer said. "First of all, to stand out there and not be able to make something happen is very traumatic in my mind. |
| "When the people 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. | "When the people 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. |
| "I may stop playing now, start exercising and get in shape and see if I can at least enjoy the simple golf that I always like to play. | "I may stop playing now, start exercising and get in shape and see if I can at least enjoy the simple golf that I always like to play. |
| "It's emotional for me because it's my life." | "It's emotional for me because it's my life." |
| Lee Trevino, who was playing with Palmer in the Administaff Small Business Classic event in Texas, grabbed Palmer's ball and got his great rival to sign it and a glove after the final hole. | |
| Trevino knew early in the round that Palmer was having trouble playing. | |
| "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'." | |
| Jay Haas added: "I think the fans have kept him going for a long time." | |
| "We will certainly miss him. He's The King. You wish he could keep on going but all things must end." |