Honorary starters Nicklaus and Player kick off 2020 fall Masters

Gary Player has bragging rights — again.

Sure, Jack Nicklaus may own double the number of green jackets, but Player outdrove the six-time winner Thursday to kick off the 84rd Masters Tournament. He also blasted it past the Golden Bear in 2018 and 2019.

“Jack gets a little perturbed about it, but I say, ‘Jack, you outdrove me for 30 years,’” Player said. “The next 30 years are my turn. I go to the gym, I work out harder. So it’s my turn.”

Photos: 2020 Honorary Starters

Player and Nicklaus were scheduled to tee-off at 6:50 a.m., but darkness postponed the ceremony for about 15 minutes. At 7:02 a.m., Player and Nicklaus exited the Augusta National Clubhouse and made the short trek to No. 1 tee box. A small gathering circled the tee, as spitting rain fell on those in attendance. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley spoke briefly, and the 2020 Masters Tournament was underway.

“We’re so thankful to stage this event safely,” Ridley said.

Following their drives, which both found the fairway, Nicklaus walked back toward the clubhouse when he noticed his longtime friend, CBS analyst Jim Nantz.

“Jimmy!” Nicklaus said.

Nantz, however, was more interested in Jack’s caddie.

“Best caddie I’ve ever seen,” said Nantz, as he gently embraced Barbara Nicklaus, Jack’s wife.

“Expensive caddie!” Jack said.

- Jack Nicklaus has familiar caddie for Masters honorary start

Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of Nicklaus becoming an honorary starter. The ceremony formally began in 1963 with Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod. And while Hutchison and McLeod began the tradition, it flourished in the 1980s with Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson all hitting opening tee shots. Ken Venturi, a former Masters runner-up, filled in one year.

The ceremony went on hiatus from 2003 to 2006, before former club and tournament Chairman Billy Payne persuaded Arnold Palmer to hit the tee shot in 2007. Nicklaus joined in 2010, and the addition of Player in 2012 brought golf’s Big Three full circle.

“I used to always come and watch Snead, (Nelson) and (Sarazen),” Player said. “I never missed it. It’s such a fantastic tradition.”

Following Palmer’s death in 2016, the ceremony has been continued by Nicklaus and Player. That will change next April, as Ridley announced Monday that Lee Elder would serve as an honorary starter at the 2021 Masters. Elder became the first Black player to compete in the Masters Tournament in 1975.

“To be invited back to the first tee one more time to join Jack and Gary for next year’s Masters means the world to me,” Elder said.