Past US Open champion Graeme McDowell has mirrored the comments of the majority of his PGA colleagues in expressing disappointment legendary Arnold Palmer will not join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in hitting one of the ceremonial shots of next month’s Masters.

Palmer will be present at the Masters to attend the ‘Former Champions Dinner’ on the Tuesday night and will walk out onto the tee on Thursday morning but only to watch Nicklaus and Player tee off.

Arnold Palmer with Karl Morris (l) and Graeme McDowell (r)

“It is very disappointing as I got to spend some time with Arnold on New Year’s Eve when I played in the Bay Hill Invitational Shootout they have here every New Year’s Eve, and I saw Arnie and I realised he was not in 100% health,” said McDowell.

“Of course, everyone hopes he does take care of himself and gets himself back to full strength as the golf world still needs Arnie and especially here at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

“We certainly love having Arnie around and he certainly symbolizes modern day golf, being the first modern-day superstar and we love him very much.”

McDowell also spoke of his now 11-year association with the Arnold Palmer Invitational having finished second in the 20o5 tournament when he met Palmer for a first time.

“When I came here in 2005 it was my break-out year, if you like on the PGA Tour and finishing second here kick-started my career over here and during that week I got to meet Mr. Palmer and from then on I have called Orlando home, and I have gone to get married and raise my family here in Orlando”, said McDowell.

“So I have seen Mr. Palmer many times and he’s always so knowledge of all the things that I have accomplished so far in my career and he takes an interest in my restaurant that I’ve built here in Orlando, and it would be great to get him over to the restaurant, soon.

“But he’s just been iconic and influential and just simply an inspiration.”