The Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale this week, site of Arnold Palmer’s triumphant first win across the pond in 1961. It was this victory that is largely credited with attracting American pros to make the trip over seas and play in golf’s oldest championship.
“I felt then and I still do that you had to win internationally to be considered a great player,” Palmer once said. “I did what I had to do to be considered a player of some circumstance.”
Of course, this will be the first playing of The Open since the King’s passing and Heritage Auction recently announced they are putting an iconic piece of Palmer’s memorabilia on the block: his Walter Hagen-endorsed persimmon driver that he used in 1961 to capture the Claret Jug.
It even comes with a letter from the King himself stating its authenticity:
To Whom It May Concern:
This will certify that Mr. Robert D. Robinson had a Walter Hagen driver built for me in the winter of 1961 and I subsequently used it when I won the British Open Championship later that year. I gave that driver to Bob Robinson in 1968. It has a registration number of “AP1961” stamped on its sole.
Sincerely,
Arnold Palmer
According to Heritage Auctions, the club is expected to fetch $80,000 and up. Bidding begins Friday.
[h.t Golf Digest, Heritage Auction]
— — —
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.
SwingxSwing is a golf mobile app, media and entertainment company. The company owns and operates businesses across the following golf categories: GPS & Scorecard, Tee Times, Instruction, E-Sports, Social Media, Entertainment, and Apparel.
The SwingxSwing Clubhouse entertains its millions of golfer and golf enthusiast visitors with compelling content on professional golf, instruction, equipment, comedy and other lifestyle categories on a daily basis.
Never be the odd golfer out when your friends are talking about the latest or funniest happenings in golf. Sign up for the SxS newsletter today!
