Jack Nicklaus

Honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and newcomer Tom Watson struck ceremonial tee shots Thursday to signal the start of the 86th Masters golf ...

The late Arnold Palmer had joined Nicklaus and Player for many years in the starters' role and last year, the late Lee Elder -- the first black golfer to compete in the Masters -- was among the ceremonial starters. They met for a group hug and took photos after their work was done. Spectators crowded around the first tee for a glimpse of the former Masters champions.

The 2022 Masters officially started Thursday morning, but not before the ceremonial opening tee shots were struck.

Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod hit the first ceremonial opening tee shots, and other legends of the game such as Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ken Venturi, Arnold Palmer and Lee Elder have taken part since. But before the action started, there was one last tradition to observe — the ceremonial opening tee shots. Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing.

Tom Watson didn't think eight major championships, including two green jackets, would be enough to join the company of Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus on the ...

Watson, with 72 next to his name on the standard-bearer at the first tee, took a moment before teeing off and considered how things have come full circle. Not like [Player and Nicklaus], but I had a pretty good career. "I had a pretty good career. "That meant a great deal to me." "I don't kind of belong in the same realm as these two players here." Even if it meant entering another phase of his golfing life.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit the first tee shots at the 86th edition of the Masters Tournament.

“I was definitely the shortest,” Nicklaus would later say. “That a boy,” Watson said as Nicklaus’s drive flew off to the right. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. “May I say something?” he asked as if anyone would ever think of stopping him. “If I can do this without falling over,” he said. How to watch the Masters But where the drives flew was immaterial. “I’m not embarrassed to say that.” “Yes, success!” I don’t kind of belong in the same realm as these two players here,” Watson recalled. “I personally just felt lucky to be out there. The good Lord willing the creek don’t rise.”