Palmer's adoring fans give sendoff

Arnie's Army greeted him at the 18th green for the final time at the Masters.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- The King's reign at the Masters is over.
Late this afternoon, Arnold Palmer walked up to the 18th green at Augusta National for the last time. There were thousands of adoring fans -- Arnie's Army -- waiting for him.
"I understand it's time," Palmer said Thursday after shooting a 12-over 84. "It's time to sit back, watch and enjoy."
After 50 years, he's certainly earned it.
The 74-year-old Palmer won four Masters and three other major championships, but it was his personality that altered the game forever.
Visiting with fans in the gallery while he played, he was like a king greeting his subjects. He looked them in the eye when they yelled out encouragement, making them feel appreciated, an integral part of his game.
In return, his fans lionized Palmer.
One of his fans
Ellen DeBois was 8 years old when her father brought her to the Masters for the first time and she met Palmer. Now 56, she's been to 38 Masters and about 200 tournaments overall -- all to see Palmer.
"To me, he is golf," said DeBois, who doubts she'll return to the Masters once Palmer is gone. "My father used to say, 'You really don't like golf. You just like Arnie.' It's true."
Blanton Phillips brought his 3-year-old son Sam to this year's Masters, just as his father had done 33 years before. And just like his father, Phillips has taught his son to root for Palmer.
"When he's my age, he'll be able to look at his pairing sheet and say he was here when Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus were all playing in the Masters at the same time," Phillips said. "I think it'll be neat for him, whether he remembers any of it or not."
Palmer will certainly remember -- and cherish -- Thursday's round.
His army was there
That he was never in contention hardly mattered. His army was lined up in the rain simply for the chance to watch him tee off, and it was rewarded with a smile so bright it lightened the gray skies.
"Go get 'em, Arnie!" one fan yelled, and Palmer responded with a grin and a thumbs up.
They cheered his shots -- good and bad -- and he got standing ovations at the greens. Palmer was clearly moved by the affection.
"It was fun today," he said, "feeling that adrenaline flowing like so many years."
He hoped to make one last cut, and for a few holes, at least, there were flashes of the old master. After a disappointing double bogey on the par-3 No. 4, he seemed to be in more trouble on the fifth when his 40-foot birdie putt reached the crest of a hill and rolled all the way back to the edge of the green.
But Palmer knocked it in for par, and the crowd roared as if he'd hit the tournament winner.