Augusta, GA …

Jack Nicklaus paid a very fitting tribute to his one time fierce rival but long lasting good friend, Arnold Palmer in raising his cap skywards at today’s 2017 Masters ceremonial opening.

It was the first time since 2006 the golfer known as “The King” was not alongside either Nicklaus or Gary Player for the opening tee shots.

It was this time last year a very frail looking Palmer had sat in a white deck chair and watched Nicklaus and Palmer.  Then on the Sunday before the Hazeltine Ryder Cup news came to hand Palmer had passed away aged 87.

Jack Nicklaus honours his late lifelong good friend Arnold Palmer

In a poignant reminder the white chair was again on the tee box on Thursday, and with Masters Chairman, Billy Payne carrying out Palmer’s green Augusta National members jacket and placing it on the chair.

Player, 81 was introduced on the tee before Nicklaus stepped forward, and with the now 77-year six-time Masters winner tipping his cap in the air and wiped tears from his eyes before placing his drive in the fairway.

There was not many watching on who did not have to wipe away tears.

Nicklaus and Player wipe away tears in remembering Arnold Palmer. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Payne spoke saying, in part. “Arnold was my dear friend, and he was your friend, as well”.

Player said he thought Payne’s talk “was extremely eloquent, very touching.”

Referring to Palmer’s reluctant turn as a spectator last year, he added: “When he sat on the chair last year and they called his name, you know, a lot of people don’t stand up. But Arnold could hardly walk to the first tee and he stood up because he had been taught to stand up.”

Player demonstrated by lifting himself a few inches out of his chair using his arms.

“He gave a little wave, and that was very touching to me, and I could see him doing it in that chair today,” he said.

And in a very special gesture, all patrons as well the vast media contingent covering the Masters, were handed special Arnold Palmer commemorative badges that read: ““I am a member of Arnie’s Army,” which prompted Nicklaus to joke that Palmer “would have dropped over if he had seen one on Gary and me.” He laughed. “It was very nice.”