Esta semana no es una más tanto para el PGA Tour como para el Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Por primera vez en los 51 años de existencia del torneo, la figura de Arnold Palmer no estará presente en vida en el Bay Hill Club & Lodge en Florida. Sin embargo, el legado que deja el “Rey” en el torneo será más fuerte que en todas las ediciones anteriores.
Los homenajes de jugadores y del propio torneo han estado a la orden del día en Bay Hill. De hecho, este miércoles los 120 participantes en el campeonato se reunieron para pegar el tiro ceremonial de salida en memoria de Palmer, fallecido a los 87 años en septiembre de 2016.
What an incredible opening ceremony.
A moment of silence as PGA TOUR pros hit a shot off the range to honor Arnold Palmer. pic.twitter.com/1AD8HADvJD
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 15, 2017
Y eso no es todo: tanto en redes sociales como en la propia vestimenta de algunos jugadores quedó claro quién sigue siendo la principal figura en Bay Hill.
“When you think of Arnold Palmer, golf is almost secondary. He was such a cool guy.” – @Keegan_Bradley (and his #Arnie kicks) on Mr. Palmer. pic.twitter.com/7sJ70fdtET
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 15, 2017
"This moment would mean the world to my grandfather.” – Sam Saunders ahead of today's @APinv ceremonial first tee shot. #LifeWellPlayed pic.twitter.com/3Pf5B8yd0T
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 15, 2017
Mr. Palmer did so much for the game. This week at @APInv, players pay tribute to Arnie with belt buckles featuring his iconic umbrella logo. pic.twitter.com/BXYqwOTnV5
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 15, 2017
The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done – Arnold Palmer. Thinking of you this week. pic.twitter.com/CxZlCxTSA6
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 15, 2017
A force to be reckoned with. A leader. A friend.
What did @ArnoldPalmer mean to golf's greatest champions?#ArnieWould pic.twitter.com/8SZpT6lKbW— The Open (@TheOpen) March 14, 2017
@arnoldpalmer's grandson Sam Saunders uses 'Dumpy's' @CallawayGolf driver to tee off the 2017 #APinv #LifeWellPlayed pic.twitter.com/GTNF6X5MTH
— apinv (@APinv) March 15, 2017
A moment of reflection for a #LifeWellPlayed. #APinv opening ceremony @arnoldpalmer @ArniesArmyCF pic.twitter.com/LDxa8kcYBl
— apinv (@APinv) March 15, 2017
Claret Jug trophy on display at Bay Hill as tribute to @ArnoldPalmer: https://t.co/SIc3EcVj0i #ArnieWould #LifeWellPlayed pic.twitter.com/uUNt6CviVy
— The Open (@TheOpen) March 15, 2017
Remembering "The King," Arnold Palmer, this week at the @APinv. We’ll be following along all week! #ArniesArmy #LifeWellPlayed pic.twitter.com/jacBbOPmXa
— PGA of America (@PGA) March 14, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRoMyOGDD8W/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRoncKpFAX0/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRlrMI-g2r9/
#ArnieWould @Mastercard #Respect pic.twitter.com/7PDETIKS1P
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) March 14, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRok-ycl0b9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRmDfmvlNT1/
El Arnold Palmer Invitational vivirá desde este jueves su edición número 52, con el colombiano Camilo Villegas y los argentinos Emiliano Grillo y Fabián Gómez en cancha.
Fuente: Golf Channel Latinoamérica
