Masters

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson struck ceremonial tee shots to signal the start of the 86th Masters tournament at Augusta National. Photo: Twitter @TheMasters

Masters: Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson tee off to open tournament – WATCH

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson struck ceremonial tee shots to signal the start of the 86th Masters tournament at Augusta National.

Masters

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson struck ceremonial tee shots to signal the start of the 86th Masters tournament at Augusta National. Photo: Twitter @TheMasters

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

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Spectators crowded around the first tee for a glimpse of the former Masters champions.

Gary Player has won 3 Masters green jackets

Nicklaus, 82, won a record six green jackets while fellow American Watson, 72, captured two Masters titles and South African Player, 86, took three.

Player went first, followed by Nicklaus and then Watson, who accepted the request to take part starting this year. All received great applause from the crowd.

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They met for a group hug and took photos after their work was done.

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.

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