Tributes Pour in as ‘King of Golf’ Arnold Palmer, Dies at 87

US golf legend Arnold Palmer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, has died at the age of 87.

Palmer, who won over 95 tournaments including seven majors, died at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after a cardiac failure.

The pants-hitching, chain-smoking son of a groundskeeper earned the nickname, the King, for transforming golf from an elite country club pursuit to a democratic, more accessible sport for the masses.

The United States Golf Association confirmed his death Sunday night, referring to him as “golf’s greatest ambassador”,

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Arnold Palmer, golf’s greatest ambassador, at age 87,” the USGA wrote in a tweet.

He pursued a great rivalry with 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus – “the Golden Bear”, and their differences in styles and personalities thrilled fans for three decades.

In a note posted to Twitter on Sunday ,), Nicklaus called Palmer one of his best friends  and said he would “miss him greatly”.

The pair, along with Gary Player formed the “Big Three” in the golden 1960s of golf.

Though golfers are rarely remembered for their fashion sense, usually the exact opposite, Palmer had charisma combined with good looks and style and was named by GQ Magazine as one of the “50 most stylish men of the past 50 years”

The tributes have been pouring in, with US President Barack Obama tweeting a picture of himself with Arnold Palmer at the White House, adding: “Here’s to The King who was as extraordinary on the links as he was generous to others. Thanks for the memories, Arnold.”