Watch: Honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson tee off 2026 Masters Tournament
Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus tees off during the opening ceremony before the start of the 2026 Masters Tournament on Thursday in Augusta, Ga. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI April 9 (UPI) -- Golf icons Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson teed off the 90th Masters Tournament with the Honorary Starters ceremony Thursday in Augusta, Ga. The longstanding tradition, which dates back to 1963, took place on hole No.
1 at Augusta National Golf Club, just before the 91-man field for the 2026 tournament was set to tee off the first major of the season. "Good morning, my name is Fred Ridley," the Augusta chairman said to the gallery. "On behalf of the membership of Augusta National Golf Club, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 90th playing of the Masters.
" Nicklaus, Player and Watson won a combined 11 green jackets over 140 Masters appearances. The Hall of Famers totaled 35 major championships, with Nicklaus owning more than half of those trophies. Golf legend Gary Player performs his signature kick after teeing off during the Honorary Starters ceremony at the 2026 Masters Tournament on Thursday in Augusta, Ga.
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI The 90th Masters Tournament begins with ceremonial tee shots from Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson. #themasters https://t. co/5WMvw0UeKz — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2026 Player, 90, sported a black sweater and white cap as he teed up.
The three-time Masters champion smacked the first drive and performed his signature leg kick in celebration. Golf icons Tom Watson (L), Jack Nicklaus (C) and Gary Player (R) pose with Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley (green jacket) and caddies before teeing off the Honorary Starters ceremony 2026 Masters Tournament on Thursday in Augusta, Ga. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Nicklaus, who won six of his record 18 major titles at Augusta, donned a bright yellow Masters branded sweater.