AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson continued the Masters tradition that began in 1960 as “honorary starters” early Thursday morning, all hitting tee shots off the first hole to begin the tournament. Afterward, the three took some verbal jabs at LIV Golf.

Golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson continued the longstanding Masters tradition as “honorary starters,” hitting tee shots off the first hole to begin the tournament early Thursday morning.

The 2025 Masters has begun, and it did so just as others preceding it have -- with the annual tradition of three luminary figures and former Masters champions hitting tee shots as the Honorary Starters.