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AUUSTA, Ga. — At 7:25 a.m., Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley welcomed the most decorated champion in Masters history.
“Jack, the tee is yours,” Ridley said.
“Maybe,” Nicklaus responded.
The Golden Bear leaned down, planted a tee in the Augusta dirt, and let it rip.
“I won,” explained Jack, raising both arms into the air.
And with that, the 89th Masters Tournament was underway.
In addition to Nicklaus, 85, both Gary Player, 89, and Tom Watson, 75, served as Honorary Starters on Thursday morning.
Following Jack’s shot, Watson took center stage.
“It’s a little harder for me to get down, too,” Watson said to Nicklaus.
“Want me to help?” Jack countered, drawing a roar of laughs from patrons.
On hand for the ceremony was Augusta National member Annika Sorenstam and her son, Will McGee. Standing a row behind Sorenstam was Gary Nicklaus, Jack’s son.
Also in attendance were past Masters champions Charles Coody, Fuzzy Zoeller and Tommy Aaron, as well as CBS announcer Jim Nantz.
Nantz, who has covered the Masters since 1989, calls the annual tradition, “My favorite moment in golf.”
“It’s such a rich moment of nostalgia,” Nantz said. “It’s a passage of time. You look at these champions — these iconic figures who you looked up to so much in your youth.
“Every year, this ceremony is a moment of reflection.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Honorary Starters entertain the crown to kick off 2025 Masters
Continue reading...
“Jack, the tee is yours,” Ridley said.
“Maybe,” Nicklaus responded.
The Golden Bear leaned down, planted a tee in the Augusta dirt, and let it rip.
“I won,” explained Jack, raising both arms into the air.
And with that, the 89th Masters Tournament was underway.
In addition to Nicklaus, 85, both Gary Player, 89, and Tom Watson, 75, served as Honorary Starters on Thursday morning.
Following Jack’s shot, Watson took center stage.
“It’s a little harder for me to get down, too,” Watson said to Nicklaus.
“Want me to help?” Jack countered, drawing a roar of laughs from patrons.
On hand for the ceremony was Augusta National member Annika Sorenstam and her son, Will McGee. Standing a row behind Sorenstam was Gary Nicklaus, Jack’s son.
Also in attendance were past Masters champions Charles Coody, Fuzzy Zoeller and Tommy Aaron, as well as CBS announcer Jim Nantz.
Nantz, who has covered the Masters since 1989, calls the annual tradition, “My favorite moment in golf.”
“It’s such a rich moment of nostalgia,” Nantz said. “It’s a passage of time. You look at these champions — these iconic figures who you looked up to so much in your youth.
“Every year, this ceremony is a moment of reflection.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Honorary Starters entertain the crown to kick off 2025 Masters
Continue reading...
