Palmer 'fine,' will be at Masters

Arnold Palmer’s recent hospitalization won’t keep him away from Augusta and the Masters Tournament next week.

Palmer’s longtime assistant, Doc Giffin, said Tuesday by e-mail that “Arnold is fine and will be there.”

The four-time Masters champion will attend the Tuesday night Champions Dinner, play in Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest and then join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as honorary starters on Thursday morning.

Palmer, 82, was hospitalized Sunday night as a precaution because of high blood pressure from new medication. He normally greets the champion of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the final hole, but was unable to do so with tournament winner Tiger Woods this year.

Palmer was released from the hospital Monday and returned to work.