The King turns 80: Images and impact of Arnold Palmer

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Arnold Palmer presents the winner's trophy to Kenny Perry after the 2005 event.

Arnold Palmer has spent over 50 years in the public eye, posed for thousands of pictures and authored some of the most memorable moments in golf history.

On Sept. 10, 2009, the King turns 80 and, in honor of his big celebration, we've picked 18 of our favorite Palmer pictures and put together a photo timeline of his career.

ARNOLD PALMER photo gallery: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | CURRENT PHOTO | 17 | 18

Bay Hill history

Palmer's tournament (1979-present)

The Arnold Palmer Invitational, played at Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla., has been an annual event on TOUR since 1979. Though not a major, it attracts major-quality fields because of today's elite golfers' respect for the King. Palmer still delights the crowd by playing in the tournament's pro-am. Past champions at his event include Tom Kite, Fuzzy Zoeller, Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, Ben Crenshaw, Loren Roberts, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who won for the sixth time this year. "Palmer is a legend in the game," the 2006 champion Rod Pampling said. "They don't come much bigger than Arnold. To win his tournament, to have a trophy with his name on it, it's very special."

More on Palmer

Check out these stories on Arnold Palmer, who turns 80 this week PHOTO ESSAY: There may never be a golfer as photogenic as Arnold Palmer. Need proof? Check out these images of his career. Click here 80 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT ARNIE: Is it his smile? His untucked shirt? Or that he has a tea named after him? Columnist Melanie Hauser has her top 80. Click here PLAYERS REACT: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw and others discuss their memories of Arnie, and the impact he has made on their careers. Click here BEST MEMORIES: PGATOUR.COM's columnists share their best memories of dealing with the King. Click here FATHER AND SON: PGATOUR.COM's Brian Wacker reveals how Arnie reached out to his father, who was dying of cancer. Click here LETTER FROM ARNIE: Helen Ross shares a note from Arnie that inspired her father in his battle against prostate cancer. Click here INFLUENCE ON GOLF: He isn't just a golfer. He's an icon who transcended the game, created an Army and made golf cool to watch. Click here ARNIE'S NUMBERS: His wins, margins of victory and the rest of his stats. Click here LISTEN TO ARNIE:John Swantek from "Talk of the TOUR" on the PGA TOUR Network visits with Palmer on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Click for audio