'I am truly humbled': Watson joins Nicklaus, Player as honorary starters at Masters
Apr. 7—AUGUSTA — As a light rain fell and cloudy skies enveloped Augusta National Golf Club, Tom Watson joined Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters Thursday morning.
The weather was more reminiscent of an Open Championship, not a Masters Tournament. But Watson, perhaps better known for his five wins in the Open than for his two Masters victories, was up to the challenge.
After some friendly banter with two legends of the game, Watson piped his drive off the first tee to help usher in the 86th Masters.
Player, a three-time Masters champion and the tournament's first international winner, was described by Masters chairman Fred Ridley as "golf's pre-eminent global ambassador."
As the South African made his way to the tee, Watson, quipped, "Are you going to do a pushup?"
"I did one when you were asleep this morning," said Player, who is known for his fitness regimen.
Nicklaus, the tournament's only six-time winner, was called "one of the game's great icons" by Ridley.
But the Golden Bear, who declined to play in the Par 3 Contest this year, joked that he hoped he could tee up his ball "without falling over." When he successfully teed it up, he said "Yes!"
Player, 86, and Nicklaus, 82, have served as honorary starters for a while. Arnold Palmer revived the tradition in 2007 after a five-year hiatus, and Nicklaus and Player soon joined him. After Palmer's death in 2016, they carried on and were joined by Lee Elder on the first tee in 2021.
Elder, who died in late 2021, was a one-time starter to mark his status as the tournament's first Black participant. In January, Watson got the call from Ridley to be the tournament's 11th honorary starter.
When introduced by Ridley, Watson touched the bill of his cap and asked if he could say a few words.
"I would like to say how honored I am to be with Gary and Jack," Watson said. "I've watched this ceremony many times in the past with Arnie, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson. And to be a part of this thing, I am truly humbled."
He then continued the playful back-and-forth with Player.
"How far did you hit it, Gary?" Watson asked.
Player responded that he could hear his ball land, and the patrons laughed.
Then Watson, with the confidence of an 8-time major champion, set up to his ball and flushed it. The 86th Masters was officially underway.
