Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were the honorary starters at Augusta National on Thursday morning.
Gary Player (L), Jack Nicklaus (C) & Arnold Palmer (R) get things underway.
The 76-year-old South African followed 82-year-old Palmer onto the tee for a ceremonial opening drive and found the middle of the fairway some 250 yards away.
It was around 50 yards further than Palmer and 72-year-old Nicklaus then split the difference between them.
"It was a great thrill, having had the wonderful relationship, great friendship, with Arnold and Jack for so many years," said Player.
"It was appropriate," said Palmer. "We played golf all our lives together. We've had a pretty good run at Augusta."
With that the trio who used to be known as golf's 'Big Three' - they have 13 Masters titles between them - retired to the clubhouse and allowed the tournament proper to begin.
golf365.com