ARNOLD PALMER, who four decades ago lifted golf to unprecedented popularity with his charging style, has withdrawn from next week's Bob Hope Classic because he has prostate cancer.

The 67 year old American learned the results of his biopsy on Friday when he checked into his hotel at the Mercedes Championships, where he was attending the annual US PGA Tour awards dinner, but the sad news only emerged on Saturday night.

"I just learned about it," said Palmer, who will not play competitively again until the cancer is taken care of and returned to his home in Florida for more tests. "Now we decide what course of action is best."

Palmer gave no indication what stage the cancer has reached nor what the prognosis for recovery is. Prostate cancer develops slowly but can be successfully treated if detected early.

Palmer won seven major professional championships in his career - including four US Masters, two British Opens and a US Open - but was never able to land a US PGA Championship title to complete the career grand slam.