Two members of golf's royal house -- Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus -- offered heartfelt condolences on the passing of Arnold Palmer, providing personal reflections on the golfer known as "The King."
Tiger Woods, who has won the second-most major championships with 14, said he was deeply saddened by the news on Palmer, who died Sunday at 87.
"It's hard to believe that Arnold has passed, and I'm deeply saddened by his loss. He meant so much to the game and to me personally," Woods said in a statement. "I knew that I could always call him for advice, and I looked forward to seeing him at Bay Hill and the Masters.
"Arnold touched so many people. My kids were born at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, and his philanthropic work will be remembered along with his accomplishments in golf. It was an honor and privilege to have known Arnold, and I'm forever grateful for his friendship."
But some of the kindest words released immediately following Palmer's death came from the man whose 18 major championships remain unmatched -- Jack Nicklaus.
"I was shocked to hear that we lost a great friend -- and that golf lost a great friend," Nicklaus said in a statement. "At this point I don't know what happened, and I suppose it is not important what happened. What is important is that we just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and in all of sports.
"My friend -- many people's friend -- just wore out. I know he was in Pittsburgh trying to find out how to make himself better. That's what Arnold has always tried to do. He has always been a fighter and he never gave up on anything. He didn't give up even now. Maybe his body did, but I know Arnold's will and spirit did not."
Nicklaus said he last spoke to Palmer on his birthday, Sept. 10, and that Palmer "sounded great."
Palmer developed a rivalry and lifelong friendship with Nicklaus and Gary Player, and the trio eventually became known as the "Big Three." They won seven straight Masters titles among them from 1960 to 1966 and hit ceremonial tee shots together at Augusta National to signal the start of the year's first major. Palmer hit his first ceremonial tee shot at Augusta in 2007; Nicklaus joined him in 2010, and Player was added in 2012.
Palmer won the Masters in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964 and is one of two champions -- along with Nicklaus -- who are members of Augusta National. Nicklaus (six) and Woods (four) are the only golfers who have won as many or more Masters titles.
Said Nicklaus: "Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself. Along the way, he had millions of adoring fans ... We were great competitors, who loved competing against each other, but we were always great friends along the way. Arnold always had my back, and I had his. We were always there for each other. That never changed.
"He was the king of our sport and always will be."