Nicklaus to join Palmer as 2010 Masters starter
August 31, 2009
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)—Jack Nicklaus has a tee time again at the Masters.
Augusta National announced Monday that Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer asan honorary starter for next year’s Masters.
Nicklaus is a six-time Masters champion who last played the tournament in2005. He says he accepted the invitation because it was also supported byPalmer, his longtime friend who began hitting the ceremonial tee shot in 2007.
Nicklaus will become the eighth honorary starter. The tradition began at theMasters in 1963, when Nicklaus won his first green jacket.
Sam Snead hit the opening tee shot in 2002, but the Masters didn’t have anhonorary starter again until Palmer two years ago. Palmer decided next year tohave a playing partner.
“I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacy at the Masters,and I did not, in any way, want to infringe on the opportunity for Arnold tohave and enjoy this Masters tradition for himself,” Nicklaus said in astatement. “He is so deserving of this honor, and thus I felt it was his time,not mine.”
He added that because Palmer “enthusiastically supported the invitation, itbecame an easy decision for me.”
The 2010 Masters is scheduled for April 5-11.
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