Golf-Tributes pour in for 'King' Palmer on his 80th birthday

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Arnold Palmer received heartfelt wishes and glowing accolades from the golfing world while celebrating his 80th birthday on Thursday.

The U.S. Senate passed legislation that the Congressional Gold Medal would be awarded to Palmer for his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, members of the so-called Big Three with Palmer, paid tribute to their long-time rival while world number one Tiger Woods was among several contemporary players to praise his significant impact on the modern game.

Seven times major champion Palmer, affectionately knwon as 'The King', won 62 PGA Tour titles in his illustrious career but his influence extended far beyond tournament victories.

With his swashbuckling style, prodigious length off the tee, bold putting and affection for the fans, he did more than any player to popularise the game with the advent of television.

"With his charisma, with his personality in conjunction with TV, it was just the perfect symbiotic growth," Woods, a winner of 14 major titles, said.

"You finally have someone who has this charisma and they're capturing it on TV for the very first time. Everyone got hooked to the game of golf via TV because of Arnold."