Augusta, GA … Gary Player out-drove Jack Nicklaus at this morning’s ceremonial start to the 8oth staging of the Masters but it was a very frail-looking Arnold Palmer who clearly won the hearts of Augusta patrons.

Augusta Chairman Billy Payne’s introduction said it all.

“Not driving this year but forever a part of The Masters tradition, please join me in a salute and a heartfelt welcome to Mr Arnold Palmer,” he said.”

Palmer, a winner of seven Majors, acknowledged the biggest roar so far at this year’s Masters, with a thumbs-up before getting a big hug from the ‘Black Prince’ and a hearty handshake from the ‘Golden Bear’.

Honorary Starters Masters champion Jack Nicklaus, Masters champion Arnold Palmer and Masters champion Gary Player of South Africa pose for a photo on the No. 1 tee during Round 1 at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday April 7, 2016. (Photo – www.Masters.com)

Several players were down on the tee and said they really enjoyed it,” Nicklaus said. “Rickie Fowler gave me a hard time. He said, ‘Did you reach the bottom of the hill?’ I said, ‘Almost.’”

Afterwards Nicklaus and Player attended the Media Centre to speak of the special place Palmer has in their hearts.

“I think that everybody was happy to see Arnold out on the tee, and Arnold was happy to be on the tee,” said Nicklaus on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of winning a sixth green jacket and an 18th Major Championship.

“I think he would have preferred to hit a golf ball, but I think that he ‑‑ I talked to him at the Masters dinner.  I said, Arnold, when you’re out there, what if you just ‑‑ what if we just take you up and had you hit, I don’t care if you putt it off the tee, I think everybody would love to have you do anything.

Ten Masters titles between the trio of Jack NIcklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. (Photo – www.Masters.com)

“He said, Let me think about it. I said, Okay.

“So this morning I talked to him and I said, What do you want to do?  He said, I’m good.  I said, fine, let’s leave it alone.  So I think probably the right thing.  Arnold’s balance is not good and that’s what they were worried about.

“But I think he was delighted to be out there.  I think we were delighted to have him there.  I think both Gary and I felt it was more about Arnold this morning than anything else, and I think that was just fine.”

Player, who captured the 1961, 1974 and 1978 Masters and who has not competed at Augusta since the last of 52 Masters in 2009, endorsed the comments of Nicklaus.

“The three of us travelled extensively around the world promoting golf

not getting these enormous appearance monies that they do today, which is wonderful that they do get it,” said the Springbok golfer.

Arnold Palmer looking almost unrecognisable at today’s 80th Masters opening ceremony. (Photo – www.Masters.com)

“I think that we had a very unusual friendship amongst competitors.  It was so fiercely competitive, and we made it very clear we wanted to beat the hell out of each other.  And when we did, we looked the other man in the eye and said, Well done.  So we built a friendship, traveling extensively around the world.  They came to South Africa to my farm.  They went down gold mines, we went to game reserves, we stayed at his house, we stayed at Arnold’s house.  We’ve had a unique friendship.

“We won, plus or minus, don’t tell me exactly to tell you how many, but we won 50 major championships, senior and regular tour, and we must have won over 350 golf tournaments.

“And to have longevity has been a special gift.  And to come here today and to be on the tee with Arnold being a part of us, it was gratifying and sad, because everything shall pass.  But it was nice to have him on the tee.  I dedicated my first tee shot to him in respect.

Gary Player and Jack Niclaus speak of their affection for Arnold Palmer. (Photo – www.Masters.com)

“It’s a very special moment, and I think the love that is extended to us wherever we go in the world is most gratifying that so many people would be on the first tee to see one shot.  One billion people seeing one shot around the world is quite extraordinary.”

Unfortunately, the big fear is that the now 86-year old Palmer may not be around for the 2017 Masters and what would be the 53rd anniversary of his 1964 triumph.