There are few moments in sport that feel as steeped in history as the opening shots at the Masters Tournament. And, yes it’s as emotional and as special as you might think.
The honorary starter tee shots at the Masters are a long-standing tradition. It officially signals the start of the event each year.
Legendary past champions who are no longer competing, often icons of the game, hit ceremonial drives on the first hole.
For a number of years now, that honour has been given to Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson. Together they have 11 Masters championships at the unrivalled combined age of 252.
At the crack of dawn, all three sent their drives down the first hole to get the 90th edition of the Masters up and running.
Speaking on the NCG Golf podcast Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy found the whole experience to be a classy and powerful tradition, that captures what the Masters is truly about.
Acast Embed Player (cef500ab199baab1ec034567aa73957e2edebc56)“It was bucket list stuff,” Irwin said. “We arrived expecting to be 20, 30 people back in the throngs of patrons.
“We managed to find ourselves a point directly behind the first tee, right down the line of the drives and right behind the people who had placed their green, beach chairs there.
“It was kind of rarified. It was one of these things that you think isn’t going to be much and it’s going to be disappointing; it can’t be as moving as you expect it to be. But it really was.
“(Nick) Faldo came down in his green jacket to watch it. That is a real thing about the Masters full stop is that the quality of spectator is almost worth turning up for itself.
“I think the highlight, for me, was the very obvious tear in (Jack) Nicklaus’ eyes.
Advertisement
“At 86 years-old, you wonder how many times we will see him take the trip down there again.
“It was really, really something special to watch.
“There was a very human aspect watching it all happen.”
Murphy agreed, believing that the first tee just encapsulates that unique Masters’ feel. For all its global appeal, the opening shot, and tee box, still feels understated, especially in comparison to other venues and tournaments.
He pointed out that: “The whole thing is a reminder that the Masters began, like many things, as something much smaller and something more homely. There are still parts of it that have that summer fate feel to it.”
Watching from home, the true emotion and meaning of the occasion can often pass you by. It can get swept up in the excitement and the aura of other aspects to the tournament.
But, for those lucky enough to witness it in person, the intimacy of the moment, and what it means to these great champions, shows a personal side to the whole thing.
NOW LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Acast Embed Player (cef500ab199baab1ec034567aa73957e2edebc56)- NOW READ: Solved – the mystery of the curious names on the Augusta National scoreboards
- NOW READ: The pleasure of watching Olazabal remains even after all the passing years
- NOW READ: If anyone can Master the sensory overload of being defending champion at Augusta it is Rory McIlroy
The honorary starters at the Masters is a special tradition. Who will win the Masters in 2026? Tell us on X!
