Arnold Palmer will not hit the ceremonial first tee shot at The Masters for the first time in nine years, the Golf Channel reported Tuesday morning.
Golf Channel reports that Palmer still plans to attend the year's first major, and the annual Champions dinner on Tuesday before the tournament.
The four-time Masters champion injured his shoulder in December 2014 and, at 86, rarely is able to hit golf balls. Golf Channel reported that Palmer told Augusta National chairman Billy Payne on Monday that he wouldn't hit the ceremonial shot.
Palmer, who is expected to have a limited role at his event the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week, started hitting the opening tee shot in 2007.