Palmer’s career included Wilmington win, near miss

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The sports world continues to mourn legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.

The Hall of Famer died last night in his native Pennsylvania at the age of 87.

Palmer’s storied career included a win in Wilmington followed up by a near miss as he tried to defend his title.

In 1957 Palmer won his fifth PGA Tour title with a victory in Wilmington’s Azalea Open. According to a UPI story about the tournament, Palmer sank an 18-inch putt on the final hole to secure a one-shot win over Dow Finsterwald at Cape Fear Country Club. Palmer took home $1,700 for finishing first.

Golfer Arnold Palmer finished second at the 1958 Azalea Open in Wilmington. (Photo in the Hugh Morton Photographs and Films #P0081, ©1958, North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library)

The next year Palmer was in contention again at the Azalea Open, but lost by a single stroke to Howie Johnson in an 18-hole playoff.

In all, Palmer had 95 professional wins, including 62 on the PGA Tour.