In 2010, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship, the University of St Andrews awarded Arnold Palmer an honorary Doctor of Law degree, also awarding degrees to Padraig Harrington and Tom Watson.

Palmer famously played his first and last Open Championships on the Old Course at St Andrews, losing the first by a single stroke to Kel Nagle in 1960 and going out in fine style at the last in 1995. Speaking to the crowd of 1,000 upon receiving his degree, Palmer was reflective: "Little did I think that in 1960 when I told my father and a friend I was coming to the Open and they said ‘really, are you ready?’ what might happen 50 years later. It is a thrill to be back here and a real honor to be recognized by the University of St Andrews. Walking down the street in St Andrews I feel like I’m at home. Thank you all.”

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