It’s hard not to take golf seriously. Whether we’re playing or watching or out on the driving range, there’s something about hitting a tiny white ball that causes us to tighten up.

This will not be one of those stories. I’ll even get out in front of this and tell you upfront that the scorecard here is inconsequential. This is the rare golf moment where the outcome doesn’t matter. We’re just going to play and enjoy the moment. 

On Friday, April 9, 2004, Arnold Palmer was playing his final round at the Masters. The 74-year-old, four-time Masters winner was calling it a career at Augusta and this was his 50th consecutive appearance. A record that still stands today.

Arnie and Augusta went together like iced tea and lemonade. His first appearance came in 1955 by way of winning the US Amateur. Three years later, in 1958, he slid his arms into the finely tailored sleeves of the green jacket. The next year, Arnie’s Army was born in the galleries of Augusta. In 1964, he became the first person ever to win the Masters Tournament four times. Only Jack Nicklaus (6) and Tiger Woods (5) have more Masters titles than Palmer. 

As Augusta’s original king walked up the uphill dogleg left that is No. 5 Magnolia, the cut was miles away from Palmer and no one seemed to care. Everywhere he went and every shot he hit, he got cheers. He still made time to shake hands and wave to his legion of adoring fans. Whatever the definition of going out in a blaze of glory is, this was way better. Because for all the jaw-dropping shots and low scores we have and will ever see at the Masters, there will only be one Arnold Palmer.