“Letters from Arnie” – Rory McIlroy

Editor’s note: Throughout Arnold Palmer’s career, The King was well known for sending letters of praise to other golfers. Many of his notes were mailed to Masters Tournament champions. This week, The Augusta Chronicle will feature seven letters that Palmer wrote to other major championship winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel.

The letter is dated Sept. 6, 2016.

Less than three weeks later, Arnold Palmer would die of complications from heart surgery. Still, despite his failing health, The King was keeping an eye on Rory McIlroy.

“Great to see you back on top of your game,” Palmer wrote to McIlroy in one of his final letters. “That was a very impressive finish you put on Monday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship.”

A day earlier, McIlroy had rallied from six shots behind to capture the tournament, which moved him from 38th to 4th in the FedEx Cup standings.

McIlroy carded a final round 65 (six under) for a two-shot victory over England’s Paul Casey.

“Good luck the next couple of weeks as you take aim at the FedEx Cup championship,” Palmer wrote, foreshadowing what was to come for McIlroy.

The day Palmer passed away, McIlroy came from three shots back to win the TOUR Championship and the FedEx Cup at East Lake Golf Club.

McIlroy earned $11.53 million that day ($10 million FedExCup bonus and $1.53 million for the TOUR Championship), but there was no letter from Palmer.

“I look forward to seeing you again one of these days,” wrote The King, as he concluded his Sept. 6 letter to McIlroy. “…Hopefully at Bay Hill next March.”

Reach Doug Stutsman at (706) 823-3341 or doug.stutsman@augustachronicle.com.