Three legends of the game got the 2023 Masters Tournament started, as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson served as the honorary starters Thursday morning.

Player got the festivities started with his typical outgoing humor and grace, hitting a nice shot – especially for an 87-year-old legend of the game.

The 83-year-old Nicklaus followed him with jokes about putting the ball on the tee being the hardest part of all of it, before he also hit one straight.

And lastly, the 73-year-old (but looking far younger) Tom Watson capped things off with a drive he watched for a long time, almost as though he was concerned about how this would impact his scoring on the day.

Combined, this trio has 11 Masters Championships and over 110 years on the course.

Here’s a look at all the fun from the ceremonial start to the Masters from Player, Nicklaus and Watson.

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: The names of Gary Player of South Africa, Jack Nicklaus of the United States and Tom Watson of the United States are displayed during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States and Barbara Nicklaus arrive to the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States reacts after playing his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Gary Player of South Africa plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Tom Watson of the United States plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States prepares to play his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States fist bumps Gary Player of South Africa during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Tom Watson of the United States takes part in the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States and Barbara Nicklaus seen following the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, looks on during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jack Nicklaus of the United States reacts after playing his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

• The Masters – Round One

  Share

  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Gary Player of South Africa plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Sign Up For The Fanatic MVP Insider Newsletter

Get the info you need on the Philly Sports landscape, events you need to know about, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.