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'Oh boy...watch out!' | Nicklaus entertains crowd as honorary starters get The Masters underway!
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'Oh boy...watch out!' | Nicklaus entertains crowd as honorary starters get The Masters underway!

#Masters Tournament #honorary starters #Jack Nicklaus #Augusta National #Gary Player #Tom Watson #golf tradition #2026 Masters

πŸ“Œ Key Takeaways

  • Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson hit the ceremonial opening tee shots as honorary starters for the 2026 Masters.
  • The event took place at Augusta National Golf Club, continuing a long-standing tournament tradition.
  • Nicklaus entertained the crowd with his famous 'Oh boy...watch out!' remark before his drive.
  • The trio collectively owns 11 Masters Green Jackets, linking the tournament's past to its present.

πŸ“– Full Retelling

Golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson officially commenced the 2026 Masters Tournament by performing the ceremonial honorary starter tee shots at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on Thursday morning, April 9, 2026, continuing a cherished tradition that honors the game's greatest champions and sets the tone for the prestigious major championship. The trio, boasting a combined 11 Masters victories, stood on the first tee under the iconic Augusta pines, with Nicklaus, the six-time champion, drawing the biggest laugh from the gathered patrons after his drive. Following Player and Watson's solid opening shots, the 86-year-old Nicklaus stepped up, winked at the crowd, and delivered his signature line, 'Oh boy...watch out!' before striping his drive down the fairway. The moment perfectly captured the lighthearted yet revered nature of the ceremony, blending competitive spirit with camaraderie. This marked another year where these icons, whose careers are forever intertwined with the history of the tournament, returned to the hallowed grounds where they achieved their greatest triumphs. The honorary starter tradition, which began in 1963 with Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod, has evolved into a cornerstone of Masters week. It serves as a living bridge between the tournament's storied past and its present, allowing new generations of fans to witness the legends who shaped the sport. The participation of Nicklaus, Player, and Watson, who have been performing this duty together since 2022, guarantees a poignant and celebratory start to golf's most revered major, emphasizing respect for history and the enduring legacy of its champions.

🏷️ Themes

Golf Tradition, Sports Ceremony, Legacy

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Connections for Gary Player:

🌐 Augusta National Golf Club 1 shared
πŸ‘€ Jack Nicklaus 1 shared
🌐 Masters Tournament 1 shared
πŸ‘€ Tiger Woods 1 shared
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Mentioned Entities

Gary Player

Gary Player

South African professional golfer (born 1935)

Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta National Golf Club

Golf course in Georgia, United States

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus

American professional golfer (born 1940)

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Masters Tournament

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Original Source
Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson returned to Augusta National as honorary starters to hit the first tee shots of the 2026 Masters tournament.
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