Arnold Palmer was a superb golfer, winning no less than seven Majors, but in truth it was his unrivaled spirit that set him apart, leaving a profound legacy and changing the sport forever.
Arnold Palmer is widely considered to be one of golf's greatest-ever players.
Having turned professional in 1954, he was one of three players who dominated golf during the 1960s. The other two were Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, and collectively they were known as the "Big Three".
Palmer has been credited with changing perceptions of golf because, prior to his rise to prominence, it had largely been viewed as an elitist pastime.
Palmer, in contrast, came from humble beginnings and was able to write his name in the history books, winning seven Major Championships and also picking up 62 wins on the PGA Tour.
In total, the swashbuckling Palmer racked up 95 professional wins around the world in his 52-year career and his enthusiasm for venturing beyond America is not to be under-estimated - it would be fair to say that he first maintained the relevance of the British Open and then helped prompt its revival.
He won four Masters titles, two British Opens and one US Open. The only Major he never won was the PGA Championship, with his best finish being joint-second place in 1964, 1968 and 1970.
Palmer passed away at the age of 87 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 2016, five days before the start of the Ryder Cup. Players from both the US and European teams paid tribute to the player nicknamed 'The King' by wearing special logos, buttons and pins.
PGA of America president Derek Sprague also paid tribute to Palmer directly, saying: "The game has never known a more enthusiastic sportsman than Arnold Palmer. So it is fitting that we pay tribute to Mr. Palmer during the 41st Ryder Cup, to celebrate it in a very special way, the life of an unforgettable champion and gracious ambassador of the game."