Once again this year, four-time Masters champion, Arnold Palmer drove the first, ceremonial tee shot down the first fairway at the Augusta National course to start the competition at the 2009 Masters Tournament.

This is the third year that Palmer has played the role of starter, a tradition that dates back to 1963. Three-time champion, Gary Player announced this week that this year’s tournament would be his last time and there is talk of having him share the starting duties with Palmer in coming years. Palmer said he would welcome sharing the role.
Palmer won the tournament in 1958, 1960, 1962, and …read more

Gary Player, the South African golfer who was the first international player to win the Masters (in 1961), has announced that this week’s Masters tournament will be his last. Player, 73, has competed in 52 Masters.

To ESPN, Player said about the tournament, “It’s difficult at 73 to build strength, and this golf course is so long.”
In addition to the 1961 win, Player donned the green jacket in 1974 and 1978 (at age 42). He has nine total major wins to his credit.
(photo credit: Newscom)