PITTSBURGH — Golf legend Arnold Palmer died on Sunday in Pittsburgh at the age of 87.

The United States Golf Association confirmed Palmer’s passing.

He was admitted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Thursday to undergo heart tests.

The Latrobe native is regarded as one of the greatest players in professional golf history and began playing at the age of 3.

Palmer’s flair for the dramatic introduced the elitist world of golf to a blue collar audience. With a wagonload of trophies, he now receives an honor like no other. He won the WPIAL and PIAA individual titles as a junior and senior at Latrobe High School in 1946-47. Palmer won seven majors, played The Masters for 50 straight years, co-founded the Golf Channel and was IMG’s first client.

Palmer drew thousands of fans to the game of golf in the 50s and 60s, as his rabid fan base earned the moniker “Arnie’s Army.”

He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012.

Love poured out on social media for the golfer who touched the hearts of many, including from long time friend Jack Nicklaus.

“At this point I don’t know what happened, and I suppose it is not important what happened. What is important is we just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and all sports,” he wrote. “I wish I had another chance to talk to him, but I am so glad we talked a couple of weeks ago on his birthday…he was one of my best friends, closest friends, and he was for a long, long time. I will miss him greatly.”

Tiger Woods also remembered his friend. (Source: KDKA)

Palmer was one of the best known sports figures of all time.

Palmer was more than just another athlete who had a part-time home in the Coachella Valley, The Desert Sun newspaper reported. In terms of golf, Palmer did more to shape the desert than any single figure, with the possible exception of his friend Bob Hope.

Palmer’s friendships with Hope and former President Dwight Eisenhower are just one aspect of Palmer’s amazing career that set him apart not just from other golfers but from other athletes. Palmer was as comfortable with presidents and kings as he was signing autographs for children or the thousands of fans who he brought to the game.

Story Date: September 26, 2016