Arnold Palmer’s LA Open nightmare was commemorated with a plaque after he hit four shots out of bounds

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Arnold Palmer won the event now known as the Genesis Invitational three times during his illustrious career, with all of those wins coming at Rancho Park.

Of course, the Genesis Invitational will return to Riviera this year after being held at Torrey Pines in 2025. It will be the 61st time that the event has been hosted by the course in the Pacific Palisades.

The venue that has hosted the tournament 17 times – the second most – is Rancho Park.

It is a course that played an important role in the career of Arnold Palmer.

Three-time Los Angeles Open winner Arnold Palmer’s mixed record at Rancho Park

Palmer won the Los Angeles Open on three occasions between 1963 and 1967.

Unfortunately, it was not all positive memories for the King when he teed it up at Rancho Park.

The 1961 Los Angeles Open was won by Bob Goalby. Palmer’s chances, meanwhile, were all but dashed on the final hole of his opening round.

Palmer went into the tournament having won both The Masters and US Open the previous year. And he looked to be off to a decent start in his first round as he found himself one under par after 17 holes.

He also hit a good tee shot on his final hole of the day, the par five ninth. However, carnage soon ensued.

Palmer managed to hit four balls out of bounds – two left and two right – and ended up two-putting for a 12.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it turns out Palmer went on to miss the cut.

Rancho Park was also a significant venue in Jack Nicklaus’ career

Palmer is perhaps the most influential figure golf has ever had. He elevated the game to a completely different level. And he continues to have such an important presence nearly a decade after his passing.

But it is his nightmare at the 1961 Los Angeles Open that has been immortalised at Rancho Park. In 2017, a plaque was unveiled commemorating his 12 on the hole that is now the 18th at the course.

Palmer’s great rival, Jack Nicklaus, also enjoyed a hugely important moment in his career at the same venue.

In 1962, one year after Palmer’s 12, Nicklaus made his professional debut at the event. He would earn $33.33 after finishing tied for 50th.

Remarkably, Nicklaus would never actually win the Los Angeles Open during his career.