Remembering the Top 5 Legendary Arnold Palmer Moments on His Death Anniversary

Today marks 9 years since the world bid adieu to Arnold Palmer. Palmer, an icon and pioneer, turned golf from a country club pastime into a sport that working-class America felt belonged to. He played with his shirt unbuttoned, an aggressive swing, and a fist pump so enthusiastic it became his signature. Arnie’s Army followed him wherever he went, and suddenly golf had a hero who felt as approachable as the guy next door. On his death anniversary, it is worth revisiting the moments that built the legend: “The King.”

1. Breaking the million-dollar barrier (1967 American Golf Classic)

By the summer of 1967, Arnold Palmer was already the most recognizable face of golf. But history was yet to be made. At the American Golf Classic, played at Firestone Country Club, something happened that changed the trajectory of the sport.

With a final score of 276 (-4) and defeating Doug Sanders by three strokes, Palmer clinched the tournament win and, with that, a $20,000 check. As big an amount as this was for that time, this prize pushed his career earnings past $1 million, making him the first professional golfer ever to cross that threshold.

To put this into perspective, just three years earlier, his career earnings sat at around $506,000. By 1967, it just doubled. This drove a major economic boom in the world of golf. Years later, the PGA Tour’s money title would be named the Arnold Palmer Award. The Arnold Palmer Award now goes to the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

2. Living like a rock star off the course

If golf ever had its own version of a touring musician, Arnold Palmer would have perfectly fit the role. His charisma was unmatched, drawing crowds wherever he went. His lifestyle drew envy from many as he flew across continents in his private jets, building friendships with any and everyone.

His Bay Hill Club & Lodge became a hangout for country legend Vince Gill, popular brand Rascal Flatts, and crooner and golfer Don Cherry. Autographed guitars from these stars still line the walls of Bay Hill Club. One of the most touching intersections of music and golf happened in 2005.

This was when Palmer stood on the stage alongside rock artist Melissa Etheridge at a cancer survivor’s event. Both had fought this deadly battle — Palmer with his prostate cancer and Etheridge with her breast cancer. They both stood there, shared their vulnerability, and spoke candidly about survival and trauma. That was an event that showed another side of Palmer.

3. A Presidential drop-in (1967 birthday surprise)

While elite golfers are known for being affiliated with U.S. Presidents, not many can count one of them as a close friend. But Arnold Palmer could. On September 10, 1967 — his 37th birthday — Palmer opened the door of his lakeside retreat in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to find President Dwight D. Eisenhower standing there with an overnight bag!

With a massive grin on his face, he asked, “Say, you wouldn’t have room to put up an old man for the night, would you?”

Turns out Palmer’s wife, Winnie, had quietly helped in arranging this visit. A one-of-a-kind surprise for her beloved husband. That weekend might have been the most memorable in Arnold Palmer’s life for as long as he was alive. Dinner by the lake, football on TV, and a long breakfast conversation likely involving golf. For Palmer, who grew up the son of a country club greenskeeper, this friendship showed him the journey golf had made him carry.

4. Silencing Hogan at the 1958 Masters

For any golfer looking to win the Masters, it is always wearing that iconic green jacket. But for Palmer, it might have been about proving his worth. Heading into Augusta in 1958, there were doubts regarding his contention and performance on the course.

While he was making his place at the club, Palmer heard Ben Hogan, a three-time Masters champion, say, “How the hell did Palmer get an invitation to the Masters?”

He did not respond to Hogan then. It was four days later that his answer came. Shooting a 73 in the final round, Arnold Palmer brought his total to 284 (-4), winning his first-ever Masters. That was the birth of his legacy at Augusta. Palmer would go on to win three more titles in 1960, 1962, and 1964. But this win was more than a victory. It was a declaration that a legend has arrived.

5. The last playing captain (1963 Ryder Cup)

One cannot separate Arnold Palmer from his Ryder Cup legacy. He had a stellar combined match record of 22 wins, 8 losses, and 2 halves in just six playing appearances. His match wins set a US record that stands to this day, as his team won all the Ryder Cups that he played in.

In just these few contentions, he accumulated a winning percentage of 71.88%, which is the best of any US player with 25 or more matches played. His total of 23 points put him at the top of the all-time list for the US. Truly a tribute-worthy record!

But none of this can match the record that he set in 1963. Captaining the Ryder Cup twice (later in 1975), Palmer served as the last playing captain in Ryder Cup history. He is also the youngest captain (34) for a US team to date. Current US Captain Keegan Bradley comes second to him.

That year, guiding his team at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Palmer efficiently balanced his captaincy with on-course duties and steered the USA to victory. Palmer posted a strong 3-1 record in pairs and split his singles matches 1-1. The US won by 23 – 9.

Arnold Palmer’s story isn’t defined by just stats. Yeah, he won 62 PGA Tour titles, seven majors, and built an empire that stretched from golf courses to lemonade stands outside the ropes. But what remains are moments like these. And these moments are more than nostalgia.

On his death anniversary, we don’t just remember Arnold Palmer the golfer. We remember Arnold Palmer, the groundbreaker, the rock star, the friend, and forever, The King.