Graeme McDowell has a new edition to his trophy cabinet – a 1-iron from Arnold Palmer’s own collection.

McDowell had just finished a MasterCard clinic on Wednesday afternoon when Palmer walked over carrying a 1-iron that on closer inspection had Palmer’s signature on the sole of the club, and it looked as though it had seen plenty of use.

McDowell put a ball down and immediately was taken by how well he hit the shot.

He then went to hand the club back to Palmer who remarked:  “No, you go ahead and keep it.”

“I had a lot of fun being able to interact with one of the great icons of our sport, and he’s done so much for golf in general,” said McDowell.

“This event is his baby and we love coming here to support the tournament.

“But to be given the club is very special and I’m certainly going to find a really nice place for the club back home in Lake Nona.

“However he’s such a good character and I am going to make the effort and get across to Bay Hill over the next few months and try and chill out with him.

“He’s a special guy and we all hope to have him around for a long time to come, so I would love to get back over here and sit down with him over a few adult beverages (smiling.)”

But while McDowell went home with one of Arnie’s clubs Sports Illustrated cover girl, Kate Upton got a kiss from ‘The King’ (see photo below),

* See later report on McDowell’s Arnold Palmer Invitational opening round.

Graeme McDowell gets a 1-iron from Arnold Palmer but Sports Illustrated cover girl, Kate Upton gets a kiss from ‘The King’ on the opening day of the PGA Tour event.