British Open organizers pay tribute to Arnold Palmer

File-This July 15, 1961, file photo shows Arnold Palmer smiling with his trophy and medal after winning the British Open Golf Championship by a single stroke at Royal Birkdale course in Birkdale, Lancashire, England. Palmer, who made golf popular for the masses with his hard-charging style, incomparable charisma and a personal touch that made him known throughout the golf world as "The King," died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Pittsburgh. He was 87. (AP Photo, File) (The Associated Press)

File-This May 5, 2012, file photo shows Jack Nicklaus, left, Gary Player, center, and Arnold Palmer, right, reacting after Palmer's birdie putt on the 18th green during a Greats of Golf event in The Woodlands, Texas. Palmer, who made golf popular for the masses with his hard-charging style, incomparable charisma and a personal touch that made him known throughout the golf world as "The King," died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Pittsburgh. He was 87. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 12, 1964 file photo, Arnold Palmer swings his putter after he rolled in a long birdie putt on 18 to win his fourth Masters golf tournament, in Augusta, Ga. Palmer, who made golf popular for the masses with his hard-charging style, incomparable charisma and a personal touch that made him known throughout the golf world as "The King," died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Pittsburgh. He was 87. (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)

Organizers of the British Open have paid tribute to Arnold Palmer for his "immeasurable" contribution to golf's oldest major.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient, says Palmer was "a true gentleman, one of the greatest ever to play the game and a truly iconic figure in sport."

Palmer died Sunday in Pittsburgh at the age of 87.

Slumbers says "his contribution to The Open Championship was, and remains, immeasurable."

Palmer won seven majors, including two British Opens, in 1961 and '62. He last played the Open in 1995, 35 years after his first appearance.

Slumbers says Palmer "will be missed and forever remembered by all at The R&A and throughout the world of golf as a charismatic and global champion of our game."