After narrowly missing out in the 1960 British Open at the home of golf, St. Andrews, Arnold Palmer won the tournament for the first time the following year at Royal Birkdale and then again in 1962.
The King in his pomp —
After narrowly missing out in the 1960 British Open at the home of golf, St. Andrews, Arnold Palmer won the tournament for the first time the following year at Royal Birkdale and then again in 1962.
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His successes helped restore the tournament's prestige. Gene Sarazen won the British Open in 1932 during a period of American dominance but he was the sole U.S. entrant in 1958, long past his prime.
Open's allure returns —
His successes helped restore the tournament's prestige. Gene Sarazen won the British Open in 1932 during a period of American dominance but he was the sole U.S. entrant in 1958, long past his prime.
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In the 1960s, Palmer was arguably the most popular sportsman in the world. From 1960 to 1963 he won a remarkable 29 tournaments and, as his popularity and fame grew, so did the legions of fans who would follow his every move -- known as "Arnie's Army."
Arnie's Army —
In the 1960s, Palmer was arguably the most popular sportsman in the world. From 1960 to 1963 he won a remarkable 29 tournaments and, as his popularity and fame grew, so did the legions of fans who would follow his every move -- known as "Arnie's Army."
As the American's career went from strength to strength, so did his image as a style icon. He recognized that golf fashion was a market that could be developed and he quickly became a trendsetter both for his looks and for what he was wearing.
Style icon —
As the American's career went from strength to strength, so did his image as a style icon. He recognized that golf fashion was a market that could be developed and he quickly became a trendsetter both for his looks and for what he was wearing.
To commemorate 50 years since his greatest golfing year, Palmer has launched a range of retro clothing that features modern interpretations of styles that he once sported. The range will be punctuated by limited-editions to be released around the dates of majors and tournaments won by Palmer.
Arnie Apparel —
To commemorate 50 years since his greatest golfing year, Palmer has launched a range of retro clothing that features modern interpretations of styles that he once sported. The range will be punctuated by limited-editions to be released around the dates of majors and tournaments won by Palmer.
PGA Tour professional Ryan Moore is the leading current player to wear the Arnie Apparel range. The 29-year-old Moore has won one event, the 2009 Wyndham Championship, since joining the tour in 2005.
Moore to follow —
PGA Tour professional Ryan Moore is the leading current player to wear the Arnie Apparel range. The 29-year-old Moore has won one event, the 2009 Wyndham Championship, since joining the tour in 2005.
Palmer and his two sisters were introduced to golf at an early age because their father was head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, Pennsylvania. A young Arnie was handed his first clubs, aged four, which Milfred Palmer specially cut down for him.
The young Arnie —
Palmer and his two sisters were introduced to golf at an early age because their father was head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, Pennsylvania. A young Arnie was handed his first clubs, aged four, which Milfred Palmer specially cut down for him.
Palmer won the first of five West Penn Amateur Championships when he was 17 and went to Wake Forest University, where he became the golf team's top player and one of the leading lights on the college circuit.
Teenage prodigy —
Palmer won the first of five West Penn Amateur Championships when he was 17 and went to Wake Forest University, where he became the golf team's top player and one of the leading lights on the college circuit.
Palmer turned professional in 1954, aged 25, and joined the PGA Tour a year later. It wasn't long before his undoubted talent began to shine through, with his first victory coming in that year's Canadian Open, where he shot an impressive 23 under par over four rounds.
Star in the making —
Palmer turned professional in 1954, aged 25, and joined the PGA Tour a year later. It wasn't long before his undoubted talent began to shine through, with his first victory coming in that year's Canadian Open, where he shot an impressive 23 under par over four rounds.
Palmer competed for the United States in the 1961 Ryder Cup at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, the host venue for the 2012 British Open.
Ryder Cup hero —
Palmer competed for the United States in the 1961 Ryder Cup at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, the host venue for the 2012 British Open.
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He became one of golf's "Big Three" along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, a legendary trio that had the honor of the ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2012 Masters at Augusta.
Legendary trio —
He became one of golf's "Big Three" along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, a legendary trio that had the honor of the ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2012 Masters at Augusta.
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Palmer became the first player to win $1 million in PGA Tour earnings and finally ended his career in 2006 as a very wealthy man. A trained pilot, Palmer would regularly fly his own planes to tournaments and did not relinquish his license until he was 81.
Jet-set lifestyle —
Palmer became the first player to win $1 million in PGA Tour earnings and finally ended his career in 2006 as a very wealthy man. A trained pilot, Palmer would regularly fly his own planes to tournaments and did not relinquish his license until he was 81.