Golf-Nicklaus to join Palmer as honorary starter at the Masters (Reuters)
August 31, 2009
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Six-times champion JackNicklaus will join four-times winner Arnold Palmer as anhonorary starter for next year’s U.S. Masters, organisers saidon Monday.
Palmer, 79, has performed the ceremonial role on his ownsince 2007 at the opening major of the season at AugustaNational.
“We are delighted and fortunate to have such a greatambassador and icon of our sport take part in this tradition,”Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said in a statement.
“He has inspired generations of golfers and having Jack joinArnold on the first tee next April will be a special thrill forhis many loyal fans around the world.”
The 2010 Masters will take place from April 8 to 11.
Nicklaus, who made his 45th and final competitive start atAugusta National in 2005, agreed to join Palmer in hitting theceremonial first shot after receiving the support of hislong-time friend.
“I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacyat the Masters and I did not, in any way, want to infringe onthe opportunity for Arnold to have and enjoy this Masterstradition for himself,” Nicklaus, 69, said.
“He is so deserving of this honour, and thus I felt it washis time, not mine.”
Nicklaus added that, because Palmer had “enthusiasticallysupported the invitation, it became an easy decision for me”.
The first honorary starters at Augusta National were JockHutchinson and Fred McLeod in 1963, and they continued in therole until 1973 and 1976 respectively.
There was then a four-year break without a starter untilGene Sarazen and Byron Nelson took over in 1981. Three-timeschampion Sam Snead joined the duo in 1984.
Sarazen served as an honorary starter until 1999, Nelsonuntil 2001 and Snead until 2002.
After another four-year break without a starter, Palmerstruck the ceremonial tee shot for the first time in 2007. (Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing bySonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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