Palmer’s Last Hurrah?

By Tom Williams, Golf Journal

After three-putting the 18th to conclude his worst Senior Open round ever,

Arnold says thank you to the crowd. Matthew Schwenderman/USGA

Arnold Palmer summed up his performance with a simple sentiment: “It seems like it runs out of juice a little earlyevery day,” he said.

Palmer shot a 14-over 85 Friday to go with Thursday's 11-over 82.

Unfortunately, this statement could be used to describe his performance this entire year, which includes only three competitive rounds under 80, a fact that leaves Palmer wondering how much he has left.

“I have commitments to play a couple (tournaments): Park City, Boston, Cincinnati, and that’s about it,” said Palmer. “That will be it, I’m afraid, unless something strikes. It’s not good.”

If Friday’s round at Caves Valley was his last at a Senior Open, it began in auspicious fashion as the 72-year-old legend took to the front side with a gusto that translated to five consecutive pars over the first five holes. He closed the front nine, however, with three bogeys and a double to go out in 42.

It seemed Palmer had righted the ship when he arrived at the 12th having parred the first two holes on the back. But a wayward tee shot led to a triple bogey 6 and put an end to any legitimate hope of breaking 80. The large gallery that walked every hole with their hero, however, wouldn’t let Palmer get too down, shouting encouragement at every opportunity.

“The fans were wonderful,” said Palmer. “They were just very, very supportive all day.”

Despite the fact that the he hit only two greens in regulation the entire day and none after the fourth hole, the gracious Palmer was still able to give the crowd something to cheer about. Using some creative shot making, Palmer came within a foot of holing a putt from off the green that ran directly over a sprinkler head. That excellent par save was followed by another at 17 that featured a superb one-putt and yielded a supportive roar from the gallery.

Having the honor at the 18th, Palmer followed a drive into the left rough with a well-struck 7-wood again into the rough just short of a greenside bunker.  Walking into a standing ovation, Palmer was clearly disappointed there wasn’t more to applaud, but he gamely finished the hole and, perhaps, his Senior Open career.

“If it hadn’t been for the fans and just some of my own principles I wouldn’t even have finished,” he said. “But I’ve not done that, so I still have a clean record on that one.”

Tom Williams is a reporter for Golf Journal. E-mail him at twilliams@usga.org.