There are legends, and then there are people who shape entire communities. Arnold Palmer was one such name in the golfing world. It has been almost eight years since the legend departed for his heavenly abode, but his contributions to the sport remain timeless. Whether it was joining the PGA Tour after turning professional or having a Tour signature event in his name (the Arnold Palmer Invitational), his legacy endures.

The 62X PGA Tour winner was not just a great force in the golf world but was also one of the best players, alongside legends like Jack Nicklaus and others. Let’s take a look at the top five moments of his career on the occasion of his 95th birthday that remain unforgettable in the golf world.

1. Arnold Palmer wins the 1955 Canadian Open

Arnold Palmer joined the PGA Tour in 1954 and turned pro in just a year. He managed to clinch his first-ever professional trophy at the 1955 Canadian Open in Toronto, which changed his entire reputation in the golf world. “The King” bagged $2,400. He had already appeared in 20 events in 12 months, missing the cut only at the Kansas City Open. The 21st start turned out to be the lucky one for him. He opened with an 8-under 64 but was left behind Charlie Sifford by a stroke. It was in the third round that Palmer showed his real agility and was already at a five-stroke lead. He defeated Jack Burke on Sunday with a four-shot victory, completely changing his career forever.

2. Arnold Palmer’s triumphs at the Masters

Arnold Palmer made his first appearance at the Masters in 1955. He tied for tenth place, which was a remarkable finish for a rookie at the Majors. In April 1958, he began his streak of winning a major championship every other year between 1958 and 1964. In the first victory, he birdied the 18th hole during the final round and bagged the title, earning a lifetime exemption. Although he could not defend his title the next year, in 1960, Palmer secured his second victory by defeating Ken Venturi by one stroke. He won three more titles at the Masters in 50 appearances (1962, 1964, and 1965).

3. Arnold Palmer: The Ryder Cup dominance saga

Arnold Palmer made his debut at the Ryder Cup in 1961. He was paired with Billy Casper against Dai Rees and Ken Bousfield on day one. After playing all four matches, he earned a total of 3.5 points for Team USA, and they won by 14.5 to 9.5. He became the playing captain of the team on his second appearance in 1963. Despite suffering from terrible shoulder pain during the match, his team won with a whopping 23-9 victory. In total, “The King” made an appearance in 32 Ryder Cup matches and was part of the winning team 22 times in six different matches.

4. Inception of the Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational was originally known as the Florida Citrus Open Invitational, which was part of the Florida Swing that happened in March. Arnie took control of the event and changed its name in 1979 after making the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando its home every year. This was a course designed by the legend himself, and he knew it would be the perfect fit. The course had a challenging layout and strategic elements that made the tournament all the more exciting. This was indeed one of the greatest benchmarks of Palmer’s career and is still celebrated every year.

5. Arnold Palmer’s last professional golf match

Arnold Palmer officially retired from professional golf on October 13, 2006. This was two years after he made his last appearance at the Masters for the 50th time. Palmer was playing at the Champions Tour’s Administaff Small Business Classic. His performance had already started to deteriorate. After playing the first four holes in the tournament, he could no longer feel the magic in his game, and that was when he withdrew from the championship. Although Palmer did play all the holes, he did not keep score. And that was how his course visits as a player came to an end.

Even after retiring, Palmer remained deeply connected with the world of golf through business ventures. Arnold Palmer passed away in the same month as his birthday in 2016, and the void he left behind could never be filled! What are your thoughts on the journey of this legend? Let us know in the comments section below!