Ryder Cup teams to unite to pay tribute to Arnold Palmer

27 September 2016 03:38

Players from both sides and rival captains Darren Clarke and Davis Love will unite to pay tribute to Arnold Palmer during this week's Ryder Cup.

Flags at Hazeltine were flown at half-mast on Monday as tributes continued to pour in following the death of one of the most beloved figures in the game.

Tournament officials are also finalising details of a video tribute and minute's silence to be held during the opening ceremony, while players will wear pins bearing a specially-created logo.

"The PGA Tour and the Palmer family created a logo and an 'Arnie's Army' mention and I think there's going to be buttons for the fans and pins for the players," Love said. "Darren and I have agreed, whatever we do, we are going to do together.

"I t's almost like we are all dealing with the loss of a family member, and how is that going to affect both teams over the next few days.

"These guys from the European Team, they respected and loved Arnold Palmer and played in his golf tournament and lived in Orlando, s o who knows how it's going to play out for an inspiration, but I think we're just going to have to deal with it the next couple of days.

"Arnold is going to want us to put this behind us and go play, and it's going to be tough to do, but we are definitely going to draw inspiration from his spirit. We already had pictures of him in our locker room and team room, and we'll add a few more. He'll be with us forever.

"For a lot of us, he was our captain, as well, and will always be the King for us. It's going to be a different week for both sides, I think."

Palmer, who celebrated his 87th birthday earlier this month, had been in a Pittsburgh hospital awaiting heart surgery when his condition deteriorated over the weekend.

A private funeral will take place later this week, with a public memorial service held in his home town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania on October 4.

A statement from Palmer's youngest daughter, Amy Palmer Saunders, read: "My family and I are deeply moved by the outpouring of support and love that we have received from the countless friends and admirers of my father.

"These first hours have been challenging but we are comforted knowing that he was loved by so many and so deeply.

"Words cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for the many people who have offered to help us in this time of sadness. My father would be so pleased to know that he is being thought of and recognised this way."

Source: PA