AUGUSTA, Ga. – Lee Elder joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player just after dawn Thursday at Augusta National to begin the 85th Masters with a historic ceremony.
Elder, 86, was the first Black player to participate in the Masters in 1975 and he was added to the ceremonial threesome this year alongside Nicklaus and Player. Although he wasn’t able to hit the traditional tee shot because of health issues, the four-time PGA Tour winner savored what he called an “emotional experience.”
“To me, my heart is very soft this morning, not heavy soft, soft because of the wonderful things that I have encountered since arriving here on Monday and being able to see some of the great friends that I have made over the past years, especially like these two gentlemen [Nicklaus and Player] that are here,” Elder said.