Arnold Palmer bids a Masters farewell after 50 years

After tapping in a bogey putt, he saluted the crowd and left the green, marking an end of an era. ‘‘It’s done. I won’t say I’m happy it’s done, but it’s time,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve thought about how many times I’ve walked up that 18th fairway. I can think of the four times that I won the Masters. The fact is that one of the things I wanted to do was what I did today, and that was to finish 50 years at Augusta.‘‘

It was at Augusta National where Palmer became famous while elevating the Masters to its current status as the premier golf tournament in the world. His victories at the Masters in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964 cemented his reputation as the game’s top performer and with the help of television.

Not only was he a champion on the course, Palmer also proved himself a master of the market off of it, serving as a noted pitchman for products that ranged from oil to tractors.

Just last month, in Golf Digest’s listing of the top 50 golfers in total earnings, Palmer was second to only Tiger Woods with an annual income of $22,063,110.’’Arnold opened the door on endorsement deals,‘‘ Woods said.

Palmer was the first four-time winner of the Masters, a tournament that perhaps represents the greatest accomplishments of Palmer’s professional career that began in 1955 and produced 62 PGA Tour victories along with seven major championships. In half a century here, Palmer took 11,248 shots in 150 rounds and played 2,718 holes, roughly 600 miles.

Of the 93 players who started the tournament Thursday, 81 had not been born when Palmer played his first Masters in 1955. ’’The thing that comes to my mind is that after Bobby Jones founding this place, I guess Arnold has meant more to the Masters tournament than anyone,‘‘ said Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National.

At 12:46 p.m., as Palmer’s tee time arrived, his fans were in obvious agreement. Thousands circled the tee and thousands more strained at the yellow cords on both sides of the first fairway. Palmer shook hands with Hall of Fame golfer Byron Nelson and then Johnson, who greeted him at the first tee. After a loud ovation, Palmer was introduced in exactly the same way he has been called to the tee for 50 years here. ’’Fore, please. Arnold Palmer. United States.‘‘

Because he ended 19 over par, there was no point in listing his score. On this day, Palmer’s score was irrelevant. His mere presence was enough. (LA T-WP)