ESPN Golf

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Arnold Palmer has agreed to play in the U.S. Men's Senior Open in July, tournament officials said Tuesday.

Senior Open officials learned last Friday that Palmer, 76, will return to Hutchinson for the first time in 44 years to play in the Senior Open from July 3-9 at Prairie Dunes. However, they agreed to wait until Palmer released a statement on his Web site before officially announcing the news.

The tournament will be Palmer's 26th consecutive U.S. Senior Open appearance, the most of any player. He will make his first appearance at Prairie Dunes since 1962 when he played an exhibition match with Jack Nicklaus.

"Having him here, obviously, is going to be huge," said Allen Fee, the tournament's general chairman.

Palmer had recently withdrawn from the Senior PGA Championship in Edmond, Okla. However, now he will play alongside Gary Player and Greg Norman in the Senior Open.

Greg Conrad, the championship director, said the three golf stars coming to Hutchinson indicates the reputation of the Prairie Dunes golf course and the large crowd likely to attend the Senior Open. Conrad said more than 130,000 people are expected to attend the championship.

In the statement on his Web site, Palmer said he needed to improve his game before coming to the Senior Open.

"My golf has certainly not been up to par of late," Palmer said. "Hopefully, by the time I get to Kansas, my game will be much better."

Palmer has won 96 tournaments worldwide, including 12 majors, and ranks fourth all-time in victories on the PGA Tour.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press