Arnold Palmer (Stats | Bio) did not create the Masters Tournament.

The record shows that Palmer arrived at Augusta National Golf Club a good 20 years after Bobby Jones started his invitational event. But it is safe to say Palmer and the Masters evolved together.

To generations of golf fans, Palmer and the Masters are synonymous. The King arrived on the scene at Augusta National about the time television was becoming a part of every household. The two formed a partnership that may never be rivaled.

Through the magic of television, Arnie's Army was able to follow its leader as he charged to four Masters triumphs. The fact that he often did it in dramatic fashion - hitching up his pants, going for broke - only made him more popular.

Although Palmer is more than 30 years removed from his last PGA Tour victory - 40 years from his last major triumph - the King still holds the fascination of the public even though the birdies are less frequent, the drives a little shorter.

When he bowed out of the U.S. Open at Oakmont and crossed the Swilken Burn at St. Andrews during the British Open for the final time, his fans knew that one day he would trudge up the 18th hole at Augusta National for a final time.

That day first came in 2002, when Palmer announced that the 66th Masters would be his last.

A year later, Palmer took a mulligan and helped persuade Hootie Johnson, the Masters and Augusta National chairman, to rescind the club's age limit on past champions.

Now, he says, this year will be his 50th and final Masters. Making 50 consecutive appearances in the Masters is a record that likely will never be equaled.

"I am definitely looking forward to the Masters and to the fact that it's the first time in 50 years my entire family will be at the Masters, which will be a thrill for me," Palmer said. "A lot of my friends are coming from all over the world."

Although Palmer won more than 60 PGA Tour events, was the first to surpass $1 million in career earnings and would go on to be the game's chief ambassador, his exploits in Augusta are his legacy.

Palmer made his Masters debut in 1955, a year after he won the U.S. Amateur. Although he tied for 10th that year, it wouldn't take him long to slip on a green jacket.

Tied with Sam Snead for the lead heading into the final round in 1958, Palmer made eagle on No. 13 to help secure his first Masters win.

He went wire-to-wire to win in 1960, but that fact is often overshadowed by the birdies he made on the final two holes to edge Ken Venturi by a stroke.

After his uncharacteristic double bogey on the final hole allowed Gary Player (Stats | Bio) to win in 1961, Palmer bounced back the next year with his third Masters triumph. A 68 in an 18-hole playoff was too much for Player and Dow Finsterwald to handle.

Palmer saved his finest Masters performance for 1964, when he ran away from the field for a six-stroke victory. He opened up a sizable lead at the midway point, then eased to victory over Dave Marr and Jack Nicklaus (Stats | Bio) for his fourth triumph at Augusta National.

Pretty good stuff, considering Palmer came to his first Masters with a trailer hitched to the back of his car. Now he routinely flies to Augusta in his private jet.

"That was something very special, too," Palmer said of his first Masters. "It didn't take away at all from playing in the Masters."

Although Palmer has not made the cut at the Masters since 1983, it has not diminished his popularity. Palmer would like nothing more than to make the cut in his final appearance.

"I'm certain that he'll receive the accolades that he will deserve on Friday when he comes up 18," said Frank Chirkinian, the longtime CBS producer and friend of Palmer. "It would take a miracle for him to make the cut. Then again, at Augusta, many miracles have taken place."

Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or john.boyette@augustachronicle.com.