Golf set to salute ‘The King’

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  • March 15, 2017

Arnold Palmer will loom large over Bay Hill this week, as the tournament that bears his name prepares for life without him.

Palmer passed away in September of last year, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational will be honouring the legendary golfer throughout the week.

Many golfers are doing the same. Rory McIlroy shared a letter on Twitter that Palmer sent him after he won the 2011 US Open. 

Palmer was very impressed with the Northern Irishman's incredible eight-stroke victory at Congressional, and let him know it.

“You are now in a position where you have the opportunity to give back to the game that is making you famous, and I hope, and certainly feel sure, that you will live up to that obligation in the months and years ahead,” Palmer wrote to McIlroy in 2011. 

“Just continue to be yourself. Don’t change.”

To salute 'The King, the Bay Hill course in Orlando last week unveiled 13-foot statue of the golfer that stands between the first and 10th holes.

"Bay Hill this week, it is going to be pretty emotional," said reigning Masters champion Danny Willett.

"I think the whole vibe of the place is going to be great. We remember him for the great man he was and what he did for the game, but I think it's going to be a celebration of what he did for the game.

"You can see everything, when you walk through the doors, everything just oozes with class, and that's the guy that he was.

"I think it's all going to make for an unbelievable week."

While McIlroy and Willett will be joined by defending champion Jason Day, several big names will not be attending the event, as they tailor their schedules for the Masters next month. That list includes World No 1 Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.

"Disappointing," Billy Horschel said on Twitter last week. "Totally understand schedule issues. But first year without AP. Honor an icon! Without him wouldn't be in position we are in today."

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