AUGUSTA, Ga. – The ceremonial first tee shot at the Masters remains serious business for Gary Player, who was on the practice tee at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
“I wasn’t even out of bed yet,” quipped Jack Nicklaus.
It was a light moment during an otherwise emotional start to the 81st Masters, the first since 1954 without four-time champion Arnold Palmer. Every patron who entered the gates Thursday received a commemorative “I am a member of Arnie’s Army” badge.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne escorted Palmer’s widow, Kit, down to the first tee.