This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/golf/6050334.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Legend Palmer bids golf farewell | Legend Palmer bids golf farewell |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Golf legend Arnold Palmer says he has played his final competitive event. | 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. | 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 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", his loyal legion of fans, and Palmer was responsible for golf's first big boost in popularity. | |
| 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 |
| He also won at Augusta in 1960, 1962 and 1964 and claimed the US Open in 1960 and the Open in 1961 and 1962. | |
| 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. |
| Palmer (R) shares a jokes with Trevino at the Augusta Pines course | |
| "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." |
| Palmer pulled out of the Administaff Small Business Classic event in Texas after just four holes but continued playing with partners Lee Trevino and John Mahaffey although he did not keep score. | |
| Trevino, who knew early in the round that Palmer was having trouble playing, grabbed Palmer's ball and got his great rival to sign it and a glove after the final hole. | |
| "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'." | "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." | 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." | "We will certainly miss him. He's The King. You wish he could keep on going but all things must end." |