Golfing legend Arnold Palmer - winner of SEVEN majors - has died aged 87
- Palmer died in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but the cause was not revealed
- He helped propel his sport to the masses as television was coming of age
- One of golf's greatest players, his immense popularity drew a legion of fans known as 'Arnie's Army'
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer has died aged 87.
Palmer, who won seven major championships during his career, died in Pittsburgh on Sunday, the U.S. Golf Association and golf media reported.
The cause of his death was not immediately known.
One of golf's greatest players whose immense popularity drew a legion of fans known as 'Arnie's Army,' Palmer helped propel the game just as television was coming of age.
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer (above, in April) died at the age of 87 on Sunday
'We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf's greatest ambassador, at age 87,' the USGA said on Twitter.
Palmer's biographer James Dodson was among those who paid tribute to the golfing great.
'We loved him with a mythic American joy,' Dodson said, according to Golfweek.
'He represented everything that is great about golf. The friendship, the fellowship, the laughter, the impossibility of golf, the sudden rapture moment that brings you back, a moment that you never forget, that's Arnold Palmer in spades.'
Former House Speaker John Boehner wrote on Twitter: 'Arnold Palmer was a model of integrity, passion, and commitment.
'A great American who struck his way into history and our hearts.'
A young Arnold Palmer takes a swing for the camera around 1955 at an unknown golf course
Arnold Palmer holds the Claret Jug with his wife Winnie at the 1961 British Open Golf Championship. He was married to Winnie for 45 years until her death in 1999
In 2005, Palmer married Kathleen (pictured together, above), who was with him when he died
Known as simply The King, Palmer's career saw him win four Masters and two Opens.
He also has a popular drink named after him, a combination of iced tea and lemonade.
Palmer has said that he often drank a mixture of the drinks at home, but ordered one at a bar in 1960 during the US Open at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver.
He said a woman overheard his order and requested 'that Palmer drink' - giving the cocktail its name.
Mass-produced versions of the drink have been sold under his name since the early 2000s.
Off the course, Palmer was happily married to wife Winnie for 45 years until her death from cancer in 1999 at the age of 65.
The couple raised two daughters, Peggy and Amy. Amy's son Sam Saunders now plays on the PGA Tour.
In 2005, Palmer married Kathleen, who was with him when he died.
Tiger Woods is pictured standing behind Arnold Palmer at a Rolex media event ahead of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland on July 15, 2015
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