Golfing Legend Arnold Palmer Dies

By ESPN

Golfing legend Arnold Palmer died Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, his longtime spokesman and friend Doc Giffin told ESPN. Palmer was 87.

"I'm just so heartbroken about it," Giffin said. "As much as Arnold Palmer meant to the world, he meant that much and more to me."

According to his longtime agent, Alastair Johnston, Palmer died of complications from heart problems. Johnston said Palmer was admitted to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian on Thursday for some cardiovascular work and weakened over the past few days.

Palmer, who was nicknamed "The King," won seven major championships during his professional career, which spanned more than five decades. He won the Masters four times, The Open twice and the U.S. Open once.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf's greatest ambassador," the United States Golf Association said in a statement. "Arnold Palmer will always be a champion, in every sense of the word. He inspired generations to love golf by sharing his competitive spirit, displaying sportsmanship, caring for golfers and golf fans and serving as a lifelong ambassador for the sport.

"Our stories of him not only fill the pages of golf's history books and the walls of the museum but also our own personal golf memories. The game is indeed better because of him and, in so many ways, will never be the same."

Palmer was born Sept. 10, 1929, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His father, Deacon, became the greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club in 1921 and the club pro in 1933.

Palmer began his professional career in 1954. He quickly picked up his first PGA Tour win at the 1955 Canadian Open in his rookie season, and his first-round 64 remained the best opening round of his career.

He went on to win 62 titles on the PGA Tour, fifth-most all time, and 92 including international and senior victories. He was PGA Player of the Year twice (1960 and '62) and the tour's leading money winner four times, with total tournament earnings of almost $7 million.

McIlroy Wins FedEx Cup

Rory McIlroy holed two shots on the 16th hole at East Lake that made him a most unlikely FedEx Cup champion on Sunday.

The first one he didn't even see go in.

Three shots behind with three holes to play at the Tour Championship, McIlroy holed a pitching wedge from 137 yards for eagle that gave him the spark he needed to close with a 6-under 64 and join a three-way playoff with the FedEx Cup title riding on the outcome.

"I knew I was right back in the golf tournament," he said.

Four playoff holes later on the 16th, after Ryan Moore made a par putt from just outside 15 feet, McIlroy knocked in his 15-foot birdie putt to win two trophies that he desperately wanted -- the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup.

"Just to see that ball drop, and everything that's come together for me this year ... to pull it off was really special," McIlroy said, his voice still hoarse from screaming over so many quality shots, so many clutch moments over the final two hours at East Lake.

McIlroy picked up $11.53 million in one day -- the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus and $1.53 million for the Tour Championship, his second victory in three weeks, making him the first player to win four FedEx Cup playoff events.

Ryan Moore Fills Out U.S. Ryder Cup Team

Ryan Moore will fill out the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine National this week, getting the final at-large pick on Sunday night from captain Davis Love III.

Moore, who has never played on a Ryder Cup team, lost to Rory McIlroy in a playoff Sunday at the Tour Championship, his strong play at the end of the season -- he won the John Deere Classic and had top-10s at two FedEx Cup playoff events -- giving him the last-minute pick.

Left out was Bubba Watson, the highest-ranked American not on the team. Watson, who tied for 10th at the Tour Championship, is seventh in the world and finished ninth in points but was bypassed for someone believed to be in better form.

Love selected Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes and Matt Kuchar with his first three at-large picks on Sept. 12, with a final choice to be made on the eve of Ryder Cup week to select a potentially "hot'' player.