“Letters from Arnie” – Tiger Woods

Editor’s note: Throughout Arnold Palmer’s career, The King was well known for sending letters of praise to other golfers. Many of his notes were mailed to Masters Tournament champions. This week, The Augusta Chronicle will feature seven letters that Palmer wrote to other major championship winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel.

As his 24-foot putt curled into the cup, Tiger Woods slammed his hat onto the green and unleashed a fist pump toward the crowd at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

For the fifth time, Woods had won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

“It’s amazing how many people we’ve heard from who were watching and excited about the putt at Bay Hill,” Palmer wrote to Woods on April 4, 2008. “That one will remain in everybody’s memories, and most certainly yours, for a long time to come.”

Woods’ 2008 victory at Bay Hill marked his 64th title – which tied him for third all-time with Ben Hogan. Less than a month later, Woods finished runner-up at the 2008 Masters Tournament to Trevor Immelman.

In Palmer’s letter to Woods, The King wrote, “I think I expressed my congratulations very clearly there on the 18th green, but I still wanted to put my words of admiration in writing with this letter to you to make it official.”

When Palmer died in September, Woods sent his condolences by writing, “Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs. Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend. It’s hard to imagine golf without you or anyone more important to the game than the King.”

Palmer and Woods rank second all-time with four victories at the Masters . In his 2008 letter to Woods, Palmer concluded by saying, “I may well have seen you at Augusta before you get this letter, but I certainly wish you the best in the Masters and for the rest of the year.”

Reach Doug Stutsman at (706) 823-3341 or doug.stutsman@augustachronicle.com.