Player set for honourary start in 2012
Three-time Masters champion in South African golf legend Gary Player will join Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as an Honourary Starter beginning with the 2012 Masters, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, Billy Payne, announced on Monday.
"For decades, Gary has been the international ambassador for the game of golf," said Payne.
"His significant accomplishments at the Masters, spread over an astounding 52 appearances, have helped form many lasting memories for fans of golf around the world.
"As an Honourary Starter, his legacy will be rightfully celebrated alongside two of the Tournament's other all-time greats, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus."
Among his most notable achievements is becoming the Tournament's first international champion.
In his 21 appearances between 1959-1980, Player not only won the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978, but also finished in the top ten 12 more times.
Known as "The Black Knight," Player competed in his first Masters in 1957 and would appear in 51 more before announcing his retirement from Masters competition prior to the 2010 Tournament (he was absent in 1973 due to injury).
His 52 starts are the most all-time and two ahead of Palmer, who tallied 50 consecutive from 1955-2004.
"I am thrilled to join my friends Jack and Arnold as an Honourary Starter," Player said.
"Augusta National is a special place that holds many memories for me. When I won my first Green Jacket in 1961, Arnold put it on my back.
"In 1962, Arnold beat me in an 18-hole playoff to win his second in three years. The year after my second win in 1974, Jack became the second man at the time to ever win four Masters.
"I was there to put the Green Jacket on both of them. Moments like those are so special and to be able to experience those memories with friends and competitors is something I will never forget."
When Player joins Palmer and Nicklaus in 2012, "The Big Three" will be the representative winners of 13 of the 75 Masters conducted to date, including seven consecutive Green Jackets between 1960-1966.
The custom of having Honourary Starters began in 1963 with Jock Hutchison (1963-1973) and Fred McLeod (1963-1976) performing the duties.
Byron Nelson (1981-2001, non-consecutive), Gene Sarazen (1981-99), Ken Venturi (1983), Sam Snead (1984-2002), Palmer (2007-present) and Nicklaus (2010-present) continued the practice.
The introduction of the Honourary Starters and ceremonial tee shots historically take place preceding the first tee time of the first competitive round during Tournament week, signaling the official beginning of Masters competition.
The 2012 Masters is scheduled for April 2-8.