Thursday 7 April 2016 16:38, UK
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player paid a glowing tribute to Arnold Palmer after getting the 80th Masters under way with their traditional opening tee shots.
Ill-health prevented Palmer from teeing off at Augusta this year, but he was present on the first tee surrounded by thousands of patrons and several players watching Player and Nicklaus get their drives away.
Player took the bragging rights over his great rival by hitting his 20 yards further, although Nicklaus conceded he hit a "pop-up" despite having warmed up on the practice range moments earlier.
Palmer did not join his two friends in the media centre interview room afterwards, and Nicklaus and Player expressed their sadness that "The King" had probably hit his final shot at Augusta National.
"I think that everybody was happy to see Arnold out on the tee, and I think Arnold was happy to be on the tee," said Nicklaus. "I think he would have preferred to hit a golf ball. I talked to him at the dinner and I said 'Arnold, what if we just take you up and had you hit, I don't care if you putt it off the tee, I think everybody would love to have you do anything.'
"He said 'Let me think about it.' So this morning I talked to him and he said 'I'm good', and I said 'Fine, let's leave it alone.' So I think it was probably the right thing. Arnold's balance is not good and that's what they were worried about.
"But I think he was delighted to be out there. I think we were delighted to have him there. I think both Gary and I felt it was more about Arnold this morning than anything else, and I think that was just fine."
Player, who made a hole in one during Wednesday's par-three contest, added: "To come here today and to be on the tee with Arnold being a part of us, it was gratifying and sad, because everything shall pass. But it was nice to have him on the tee. I dedicated my first tee shot to him in respect.
"It's a very special moment, and I think the love that is extended to us wherever we go in the world is most gratifying that so many people would be on the first tee to see one shot. One billion people seeing one shot around the world is quite extraordinary."
