The upsurge in the interest of golf in the late fifties and early sixties has much to do with
the
popularity of the much loved Arnold Palmer. For it was his appeal, more
than any, which increased the public interest in the game. His
partnership with marketing man Mark McCormack also helped to attract
sponsors to the game and the prize money soon rose dramatically. It is
certainly fair to say that the golfers of today have much to thank
Arnold Palmer for. His professional career started in 1954, shortly
after he had won the US Amateur, and his first tournament victory came
the following year in the Canadian Open. He was successful on no less
than four occasions in 1957 and the next year saw Palmer win his first
major with his triumph in the Masters. In 1960 Arnold Palmer enjoyed a
truly memorable year.
He won his second Green Jacket, with birdies at
the last two holes to pip Ken Venturi, and then pulled off an unlikely
win in the US Open at Cherry Hills. Going into the last round Palmer
trailed by six strokes but he went out in a record 30 and came back in
35 to take the title by two strokes. He then moved on to the British
Open which, at the time, held little attraction for the Americans. His
performance did much to change that, however, and it took a splendid
performance from Kel Nagle to hold him off by one shot in a thrilling
Championship. Palmer was not to be denied the following year, though,
and he carried off his first Open title with a one stroke victory from
Dai Rees at Royal Birkdale.
That same year he was denied a third Masters
triumph by just one shot from Gary Player and he also won on no less
than five occasions on the US Tour. The next year was a similarly
unforgettable one to 1961 with victories at the Masters, the Open and a
second place in the US Open. The Open at Troon was particularly
outstanding as Palmer romped to a six shot victory from Kel Nagle who,
in turn, was seven strokes clear of third-place men Brian Huggett and
Phil Rodgers. (David Scranage)
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