Monday 26 September 2016 13:30, UK
Butch Harmon hailed Arnold Palmer as one of the most important figures in the history of sports after the golfing legend passed away on Sunday.
Palmer, whose powerful swing, attacking approach and ready smile attracted millions of loyal fans known as 'Arnie's Army' during his illustrious career, had celebrated his 87th birthday earlier this month.
Nicknamed 'The King', Palmer played a pivotal role in making golf more popular among the masses and is widely regarded as golf's first superstar.
"Arnold Palmer, for me as a kid growing up was my idol," Harmon told Sky Sports News HQ. "I tried to do everything like him.
"I wore the same clothes he did. I stubbed my pants like him. He is really the modern father of the game of golf.
"Back in the late 50s and early 60s when golf was first put on television is when Arnold came into his best play and it just fascinating the way the whole nation took to him.
"He was not only a great champion; he was a great person with the gallery and all of the other players.
"He was one of the most wonderful sportsman not only golf has ever known but the whole world of sports has ever known."
Palmer won seven major championships, including four Masters titles, and he became one of the 'Big Three' as his rivalry with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player dominated golf throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Speaking about why Palmer was so beloved by so many, Harmon explained: "He did it with his play. He did it with his personality and the charisma that he had.
He was a flamboyant player. He was one of those players that was not afraid to take on the difficult shot at any time.
"He was a flamboyant player. He was one of those players that was not afraid to take on the difficult shot at any time. He won numerous tournaments doing it that way and he also lost tournaments doing it that way.
"The average golfer just related to him. He was wonderful with the fans, even down to giving his autograph. To this day every autograph Arnold Palmer ever gave you can read it beautifully.
"It was wonderful. It came at a time when golf was just getting on television and it helped make the game what it is today.
"It all started with Arnold. Arnold was the man. Then along came Jack [Nicklaus] and Gary [Player] and all the other great champions."
