Arnold Palmer's Masters-winning putter makes $98,000

The putter Arnold Palmer wielded to win the 1964 Masters has auctioned for $97,691.

It changed hands at a golf memorabilia sale at Green Jacket Auctions on Sunday, as the first Masters since "Arnie's" death came to its conclusion.

Arnold Palmer putter

Palmer celebrates his winning putt on the 18th in 1964

The result is evidence – not that it was needed – of the huge admiration golf fans have for the seven-time Major winner.

Palmer used the putter in achieving the last of those seven victories.

In typically knock-kneed style, Palmer holed his final putt from 20 feet to finish -12, six shots ahead of his nearest challenger.

Palmer donated the putter to New Zealand's New Plymouth Golf Club in 1980.

It had been the trophy for the club’s junior tournament winner ever since, and was consigned to auction to ensure the future of the course.

Palmer’s original note to the golf club, included in the lot, read: "This particular putter is one that I used for two or three years in the middle 60s, during which time I was fortunate enough to add 12 or 13 tournament victories to my record, including the 1964 Masters Championship.

“I am not sure that I shouldn't have kept this one and tried it again at the present time."

Palmer's memorabilia market is red hot. The shoes he wore in winning the 1958 Masters made $66,000 at Heritage Auctions in February.

There was also a strong performance from the celebrated "thrift store" Masters green jacket. The green jackets, awarded to members of the Augusta National as well as winners of the Masters, are among the most sought-after commodities in golf.

Yet this example was bought at a Toronto thrift store for just $5 in 1994. It auctioned for $139,000, just hours before Sergio Garcia became the newest member of the green jacket club.

We have a superb visor signed by Tiger Woods for sale.

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