Arnold Palmer walks over the Ben Hogan Bridge to the twelfth green during second round Masters play at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 1997. (Associated Press)
Palmer smiles, but swing concerns him
Web posted 04/12/97
Arnold Palmer's actions hid his disappointment.
As always, golf's living legend was smiling, congenial and quick to joke with his thousands of adoring fans at Augusta National Golf Club. Only when he opened his mouth late Friday morning did he reveal his true feelings.
``I'm really embarrassed with the way I played,'' he said after his second-round 87 gave him a career-worst two-day total of 176, 32-over par. ``I didn't realize how much health affected my swing. I wanted to give it a try. I should have anticipated that, but I'd do it again the same way.''
Palmer's health has been his main concern since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Jan. 10. The 67-year-old four-time Masters Tournament champion had surgery on Jan. 15, and immediately asked his doctor when he could hit a golf ball.
``My doctor said 42 days,'' Palmer said. ``That meant I could go to Augusta.''
Unfortunately for Palmer, this year's trip was too similar to his previous 13. He has not made the cut since 1983, but only once before (1989) had both rounds been in the 80s.
``Well, I think the most disappointed person in the place was Arnold,'' said Jack Nicklaus, who played with Palmer on Wednesday. ``Arnold, he felt real fortunate, you know, to be here. But he didn't look at it that way. He really ran out of gas coming up those last four or five holes in the practice round, and that's understandable.''
Palmer brushed it off when he was asked if he should have played this week.
``I'm fine and I feel very fortunate to be here,'' he said. ``To make a big issue over that is ridiculous.''
Even with Palmer 31-over heading into No. 18, he received a response reserved only for him. When he reached the green, he received a standing ovation, and in typical Palmer fashion, he played to the gallery.
He wasn't. It took Palmer three shots to finish the round, the 138th in his 43rd straight Masters, one off Sam Snead's record 44 consecutive starts. He received another standing ovation when he walked off the green and into the scorer's tent.
``I think most people were just happy to see Arnold here happy, healthy and playing,'' Nicklaus said. ``The guy has always been a fighter and always will be. He'll probably be playing this game long after any of us are still here. He'll probably be playing the Masters in the year 3000.''
