AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jack Nicklaus lifted both hands into the Georgia air and said three words.
“I did it.”
And he did so without help. As the Golden Bear stepped toward No. 1 tee box for the Honorary Starter Ceremony, Steve Ethun — the Masters Chief Tournament Officer — placed a tee in the ground for Jack.
Nicklaus, however, removed the pre-placed tee and the six-time champion dug his own into the Augusta dirt.
Following his shot, which landed neatly in the fairway, Nicklaus turned to fellow honorary starter Tom Watson.
Watson applauded and gave Jack a thumbs up.
“I have so many amazing memories at Augusta National, so to add this to the list is amazing,” said 2008 winner Trevor Immelman, who attended the ceremony for the first time.
Photos: Honorary Starters ceremony at the 2023 Masters
Also in attendance were Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and CBS announcer Jim Nantz.
Nantz, who has covered the Masters since 1989, calls the honorary starter ceremony, “my favorite moment in golf.”
“It’s such a rich moment of nostalgia,” Nantz said. “It’s a passage of time. You look at these champions — these iconic figures who you looked up to so much in your youth. For me, I’ve been fortunate to get to know them on a personal level — especially Jack. But every year, this ceremony is a moment of reflection.”
Immelman spoke of the significance of watching fellow South African Gary Player.
Player, 87, was wearing a bandage on his wrist, which Immelman said was caused by a horse riding accident.
“To see a fellow countryman crush it down the middle was amazing,” Immelman said. “That was special to see.”
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