Jack Nicklaus: 'Part of my life went with' Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus said he was "crushed" by Sunday's death of Arnold Palmer.
“When I heard the news last night, I just was crushed," Nicklaus said on Golf Channel on Monday. "I sort of felt part of my life went with it, which it did. He was such a good competitor, good friend and so great for the game of golf. He did so much for all of us.”
Nicklaus and Palmer formed one of golf’s best rivalries and later became good friends.
“I may have had to fight Anrie’s Army, but I never had to fight Arnie," Nicklaus said. "He was always a friend, I always had his back. He always had my back. He did so much for so many. I'm glad I was one of them."
At the 1962 U.S. Open, the two went head to head in an 18-hole playoff won by Nicklaus, his first major championship.
Nicklaus released a statement Sunday night on the passing of Palmer, saying that he was “shocked to hear that we lost a great friend.”
“He was one of my best friends, closest friends, and he was for a long, long time. I will miss him greatly.
“Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself. Along the way, he had millions of adoring fans—Barbara and I among them. We were great competitors, who loved competing against each other, but we were always great friends along the way. Arnold always had my back, and I had his. We were always there for each other. That never changed.
“He was the king of our sport and always will be.”