Masters countdown, nine days to go: Arnold Palmer's final appearance

Just nine days before the Masters, we continue our countdown to the first major of the year with another iconic image - Arnold Palmer's final appearance on the first tee.

Palmer had enjoyed his role as an honorary starter since 2007, three years after the legendary figure made an emotional 50th and final start as a player, and he was joined by Jack Nicklaus in 2012 before the "Big Three" were reunited again with the appointment of Gary Player in 2012.

Image: Supported by his long-time friends, Palmer faced the cameras for what proved to be the last time at Augusta last year

The four-time champion even defied his doctors in 2015 as he insisted on hitting his tee shot just a few weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery, but failing health prevented him from teeing it up last year,

Palmer was determined to take the stage with his long-time friends and, supported by his fellow greats, he posed for the obligatory photo call before taking a seat to watch - and heckle - as Nicklaus and Player swatted their drives down the fairway.

Image: Palmer defied a shoulder problem to hit his final ceremonial tee shot in 2015

He was too frail to attend the traditional press conference following the ceremonial tee shots, and Nicklaus and Player were clearly aware that this could have been Palmer's farewell to the Masters as they paid tribute to The King in the media centre.

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Sadly, it did indeed prove to be Palmer's last time in front of the cameras and his adoring fans at Augusta National, and he passed away while awaiting heart surgery last September at the age of 87.

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