Jack Nicklaus hopes to continue role as honorary Masters starter

The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament officially began with the honorary starting threesome of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson at 7:25 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Shortly after sunrise at Augusta National Golf Club, the trio of golfing legends emerged from the iconic clubhouse to a resounding applause from the patrons gathered on a chilly Augusta morning.

With a youthful exuberance that greatly belies his 90 years of age, Player took the first swing of the tournament and piped his drive.

"Getting to the first tee with the enthusiasm of all the people, which is an essential ingredient in life, I think -- enthusiasm -- the love they give you out there is quite remarkable."

Player was followed by Nicklaus, 86, who had his son Jack Nicklaus Jr. working as his caddie. The six-time Masters champion astutely warned the gallery before hooking his shot over the crowd.

"I don't know what was running through my head other than not to hurt anyone," Nicklaus quipped afterward, adding that he had carpel tunnel surgery earlier this year and was primarily focused on holding onto the club.

"That was my issue today. I'm fortunate that I got it over somebody's head."

Watson, 76, followed with a well-struck drive and the tournament was officially on.

The trio has won a combined 11 Masters and made 140 collective appearances at the tournament, including 37 honorary starter ceremonies. Nicklaus was asked whether he intends to continue with being part of the tradition in future years.

"As long as I can still hit the golf ball," he said. "I played once this year, I played in February. I played once last year. I don't really play golf anymore.

"But it's such a nice ceremony, and it's a real honor to be invited. I hope to be able to do it as long as I can not kill anybody."

Player said the walk from the clubhouse to the first tee each year evokes a flood of memories and gratitude.

"Funny enough how your mind goes back very quickly, and I thought of President Eisenhower, who I admired so much, who was a member of this club which started it off -- how much I love coming back here every year of my life, an integral part of my life, and such a fantastic tournament," he said.

"I think the word, as you get older, is gratitude. Just to be able to be on that first tee is an honor."

Player is making his 68th visit to the Masters this week, a tournament he once called the fourth most important major on the golf calendar.

That view has evolved steadily with the growth and evolution of the only major to be contested at the same venue every year.

"They've evolved faster than any other tournament. It's one of the greatest events in the world," he said.

"It's one of the most beautiful places historically, and there's nothing but admiration for what they've done.

"Every year you come here, you're absolutely in awe. Buildings that would take years to build, they do in nine months. It's quite remarkable. It's now inundated with history, and it will go even from more strength to strength in the future."

--Derek Harper, Field Level Media