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Only one other man, the great Jack Nicklaus, has won more Masters than Arnold Palmer and Arnie has played in 48 of the 66 championships Augusta has seen.

The 72-year-old Palmer finished bottom of the pile after carding a 17-over par 89 on Thursday, the once potent swing unable cope with the lengthened fairways.

Things were very different in the first half of the 1960s when few courses could tame Palmer, whose battles with the likes of Nicklaus and Gary Player are the stuff of legend.

Palmer's legacy can be seen in the bank balances of todays tyros, and it is said Arnie, rather than Nicklaus, was the player to drag golf into the professional era.

Share your memories of Arnie.

Arnold Palmer has been the finest ambassador golf could have ever wished for. I'm sure it's true that he needs golf, but the reality is that golf needs Arnold Palmer even moreso.

I'd pay whatever the entrance fee is to watch Arnie play and who cares if he cards 100...he's got experience that money just can't buy and he should feel free to continue to play for as long as he wants to.
Brian Jones, Canada

A wonderful sportsman who puts some of today's so-called superstars to shame. A credit to his game and country. He, more than most, helped make THE OPEN whay it is today.

Today's players should thank him from the bottom of their hearts and bank balances for what he did for the sport in this country. He is the main man.
George Maitland, Edinburgh, Scotland

Golf owes a great deal to players such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and you can only hope the younger players took notes.

This year's Masters is the finest example. The people came to see the man, not his game - out of respect and admiration. Pay attention young athletes! Physical prowess will leave you, but if you conduct yourself as a true champion and sportsman in your day - people will respect and admire you. Thank you Mr. Palmer.
Paul, USA

Nice to see him getting all the applause! A GREAT CHAP! Cheers!
Roger Goy, England

Arnie, you were a superstar. You were the greatest ever. Modern technology has made the game a lot easier but when Arnie was playing he was literally plying with a stone and a stick and still shooting sub 70 scores.

Congratulations on a wonderful career.
Wafer Head Kennedy, Portadown, N. Ireland

Watching Arnie play his last round at Augusta was like watching a club player playing a comfortable round with friends! Thanks for the golf memories Arnie!
Jerry, UK

Arnie showed such great style and panache that as a 10-year-old I was dragged into a, so far, 42 year love affair. He will always be the man who made golf the great game it is today.
Paul Coates, Somerset, England

Arnie is the man. Jack may possibly have been the finer golfer, but Arnie is the man. Most likely he always will be.
Rick Downes, Sweden

How can the BBC's vote on the greatest golfing legend provide a result so derisory for Arnold Palmer? Golf fans should read their history books. Legend is much more than winning golf tournaments (though trouncing all before you does matter of course).

Remember, Arnie turning up from the United States to appear in The Open when other big-name American professionals couldn't be bothered, was instrumental in making The British Open the golf Major it is today.
Doug, U.K.

I know you will always "stay forever young". The swing might be diminished but it is obvious that your heart is still as young as ever.
Dean Lindberg, US

It is hard to be a 'great' in any sport; it is even harder to live through that without looking like a sad parody. Mr Palmer showed that you can reach the very highest heights, descend the other side with dignity, and convert that into statesmanship. Few will ever get near his achievements; none will approach his status as an ambassador for his sport, and as a true gentleman.
Gareth Hancock, Wales

At a time when the British Open was flagging, Arnold Palmer recognised the historical significance of the British Open, came to Britain to play in the tournament and encouraged many other American and foreign golfers to come as well thus reviving and making the Open a truly international event, indeed, one of the great golfing tournaments and a real test of seaside links golf.
Jimmy Mackintosh, Edinburgh, Scotland

What a great man, I asked him to sign my competitors badge at his first Open win in 1961. As a lowly assistant it took a great deal of courage on my part to approach him, but being the gentleman that he is, he signed my badge, which I have to this day, with very affectionate memories, what a great man.
Henry Derbyshire, United Kingdom

I was a steward at the British Open at Carnoustie in 1975. I was positioned close to the 14th green otherwise known as the "Specs". A ball landed in the bunker at the front right hand side of the green and a little while later Gary Player appeared and walked over to the bunker.

He got into a bit of a state cursing his luck and moaning about his lie. Eventually he played the shot and the ball landed about two feet from the pin. About 30 minutes later another ball landed in the same bunker in almost the same spot.

This time Arnold Palmer strolled into view and walked over to the bunker. He hitched up his trousers in that characteristic style of his and without any fuss stepped into the bunker and knocked the ball to within a foot. Different strokes!
John Rice, Scotland

Arnie showed me - and the world - that golf could be played a different way. He was (and still is) aggression, artistry and amazing feats of recovery, all rolled into one. You never knew what would happen when Arnie took to the course - but you knew very well that it would be entertaining and exciting.

Outstanding memories? Not sure which tournament it was, think it was the Open. He smashed a drive off the tee that went miles off the fairway. His reaction: He jumped on his club and broke it! He also argued with his caddie - they had a tug-of-war over one club, I recall.

Much more colourful than those who followed - until we got to Seve Ballesteros, who could also stir the blood. He transformed the game, brought it out of the stuffy committee rooms and turned it into a game for all. Marvellous!
Ruari McCallion, UK

At The Open at Troon in 1989, myself and my family went along to the practice day on the Wednesday. Halfway through the day my mum turned to my dad and said "That man over there is staring at me." We all looked over to where she was indicating. "That man", said my dad, "is Arnold Palmer."
Kenny, UK