There are three men who have ever won four or more Masters tournaments. Jack Nickalus has six green jackets. Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer have four each. It's quite a club. Three golfers in the history of the sport. Fourteen green jackets between them.

Palmer passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 87, and Nicklaus and Woods were quick to offer their thoughts and praise for one of the great sportsmen of all time.

"Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs," wrote Woods on Twitter. "Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend. It's hard to imagine golf without you or anyone more important to the game than the King."

Nicklaus stood in Palmer's wake coming up in the game. Their match at the 1960 U.S. Open is the stuff of legend. Nicklaus was an amateur who finished second. Palmer was the mythical figure who shot a 65 to win the tournament of Cherry Hills.

Nicklaus would, at some point over the next three decades, surpass Palmer in achievement but maybe never in importance. Both men have always known that to be true.

Nicklaus posted the following lengthy message on Facebook.

"I just got the news at about 8:45 that Arnold had passed. I was shocked to hear that we lost a great friend--and that golf lost a great friend.

"What is important is that we just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and in all of sports. My friend -- many people's friend -- just wore out. I know he was in Pittsburgh trying to find out how to make himself better. That's what Arnold has always tried to do. He has always been a fighter and he never gave up on anything. He didn't give up even now. Maybe his body did, but I know Arnold's will and spirit did not.

"So Barbara and I are just in shock and incredibly saddened. Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and sympathies go out to Kit, his kids, grand-kids, great grandchildren, and his entire loving family. He was one of my best friends, closest friends, and he was for a long, long time. I will miss him greatly.

"Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself. Along the way, he had millions of adoring fans--Barbara and I among them. We were great competitors, who loved competing against each other, but we were always great friends along the way. Arnold always had my back, and I had his. We were always there for each other. That never changed.

"He was the king of our sport and always will be."

That needs absolutely no commentary. A walk-off from Nicklaus who knew this day would probably come sooner rather than later.