Masters Preview - Under Starters Orders

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

ONE of the best traditions at Augusta National comes on the opening Thursday when, before a shot is struck in anger, three familiar figures make their way to the first tee. Not just any three figures, mind you.

In days gone by it was Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen who were the honorary starters at The Masters. Now it is the men known in their prime as The Big Three - Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. The Golden Bear, The King and The Black Knight.

Between them, they won this title 12 times. Nicklaus, of course, won 18 majors, Palmer seven and Player nine. After some banter they will each hit a ceremonial drive that effectively signals the start of the tournament. There is much jollity but don't for one minute believe that these legends of the game don't want to walk off that tee with bragging rights, being able to claim the longest, straighest drive of the three.

Nowadays, it is a fight between Nicklaus and Player, who are still impressive strikers of the ball. Palmer, 85, has been carrying a shoulder injury but there was never the slightest chance that he would miss his moment on the first tee. Lest we forget, it was his magnetic personality, charisma and attacking style of golf that made the game what it is today. All three men will receive thunderous cheers on the first tee, but the one for Palmer will be just a little louder.

If truth be told, Palmer and Player, 79, would probably still take the opportunity of competing if it were offered. Nicklaus, 75, stopped playing when he felt he no longer had a chance of winning. The Masters was alone in allowing former champions the opportunity to come along each year and compete, not matter what age they were. It was argued that they were denying young golfers a place in the field, players who could have won it.

But the powers-that-be have always done things their own way and scoffed at the very thought of being told what to do. Until 2005 and Billy Casper. The former champion took a humiliating 106 shots in the first round, including a 14 at the 16th. Thankfully, he did not hand in his card and promptly withdrew.

Thereafter, it was decided that nobody over the age of 65 would be allowed to compete. And that means that another legend's story enters its final chapter this year when Tom Watson plays in The Masters for the final time - unless he wins or finishes in the top five. And nobody would put it past him. He will also take part in his last Open Championship at St Andrews in July, and there won't be a dry eye in the house when he crosses the Swilken Bridge for the last time, stops and poses for photographs.

It is 2010 since he last made the cut at Augusta and he admits it is now too long for him. But he won it twice and has had 14 top 10 finishes. In one extraordinary period from 1977 to 1988 he had two wins, finished second three times and missed out on the top 10 just once, in 1980 when he was 12th. Like Nicklaus, Palmer and Player, and Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen before him, Watson is part of Augusta's DNA. One day he will become one of the honorary starters and we will remember his derring deeds on this extraordinary piece of real estate.