Legends at Dawn: Nicklaus, Player and Watson to Launch the 2025 Masters
Three icons, eleven Green Jackets and 140 appearances — Augusta’s hallowed tradition begins again with a ceremonial swing
Augusta, Georgia - As the sun rises over Augusta National on Thursday, April 10, the 2025 Masters Tournament will begin not with a roar, but with a reverent hush, as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson reprise their roles as Honorary Starters at 7:25am on the first tee.
The trio’s collective career at the Masters reads like a fable: 11 titles, 140 appearances and countless memories stitched into the tournament’s rich tapestry. Their presence brings weight to the start of golf’s most poetic week, a gentle salute to time, talent and tradition.
“This ceremony is a nod to the past, but also a reminder of why we gather here each April,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National, in a statement. “Jack, Gary and Tom embody everything the Masters stands for.”
The Honorary Starter tradition, first swung into motion in 1963 by Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod, has become one of the tournament’s most cherished rites. Through the years, Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer have passed the ceremonial club with grace and gravitas.
Now, with Nicklaus involved since 2010, Player since 2012 and Watson joining in 2022, the torch is ablaze with golfing greatness — and those lucky enough to witness the first tee on Thursday will see not just three men, but the living heartbeat of Masters history.