It really hit her for the first time as she walked along the first fairway just before 1 p.m. Friday: This would be Arnold Palmer's last round in the Masters.

Then the tears came for Betty Ellison.

"I just had my one little cry," she said. "I don't know how this day is going to end. I just can't imagine what it's going to be like without him."

Ellison, of Greenville, S.C., has taken every step at the Masters with Palmer since 1964. Her visor has a green and gold Arnie's Army pin; her house is filled with Arnie pictures; her heart and mind are filled with memories of Arnie at the Masters.

On Friday, she was one of the thousands of patrons who followed Palmer around Augusta National Golf Club. It started on the first hole, where the gallery was 10 deep in most places, bolstered by dozens of people - including tournament staff - who had filed from the clubhouse.

Walking from the practice green to the first tee, Palmer shook hands and even took a little bow as he stepped on the tee box shortly after 1 p.m.

"Fore, please," the starter said. "Arnold Palmer now driving."

There were more cheers, then silence for the King, who hit the ball right down the middle, just short of the bunker at the first hole - his last opening drive in competition at Augusta National.

"Don't give it up," yelled Brian Tedford of Atlanta.

The wave of applause, whistles and yells started with Palmer's first step and followed down the first fairway and to his ball. They stopped only long enough for him - and playing partners Robert Hamilton and Toru Taniguchi - to hit, then followed him to the green.

"Everyone here is an Arnold Palmer fan," said Helen Field of North Augusta, who's been coming to the Masters since 1954. "How could you not be? In spite of the fact he knew he wasn't going to play well, he still came out to play for us. You have to admire that."

Palmer's final round spread over two days - restarting at 9 a.m. Saturday on the 13th hole with thousands of patrons sloshing through the mud for six holes. And for the last time, he walked up 18, putted out and went off to be interviewed.

But this time, of course, was different. The applause lasted longer, the cheers were louder and, for Hamilton, time stood still. There, on the 18th green. Palmer put his arm around the amateur's shoulder and spoke.

"Honestly, he told me I needed to stop leaving my putts short," Hamilton said after the round. "It was an honor just to be there as he walked up the last couple of holes. I'll definitely know where I was when he made his last putt at the Masters."

Throughout Palmer's round Friday and Saturday, it seemed as if every wink, every smile, every wave brought a cheer or a standing ovation.

"He's always looked at the gallery and you swear he's looking right at you," said Jolly Jones of Charlotte, N.C., who was sitting alongside the eighth fairway as Palmer passed.

"He still has the Army," remarked Jones' companion, Fran Kirby, as the sea of patrons passed.

Some fans - such as Jones and Ellison - viewed Friday and Saturday with sadness, while others saw the day as a triumph.

"He's had such a celebrated career," said Robert Cleary of Boston, who was wearing an Arnie's Irish Army cap - a gift from his mother, who was Mr. Palmer's guest at the Bay Hill Invitational. "It's just awesome to watch him on the course."

Others knew they were a part of history.

"There's definitely something sad, but it is also something special," said Robyn Phillips of Martinez, as she watched Palmer putt on the third hole.

"He's an icon that you just relate to golfing," said her friend, Heather Morris of Appling.