Nicklaus' Masters tee shot barely clears patrons
Jack Nicklaus gave spectators at Augusta National a scare on Thursday when his ceremonial opening tee shot veered left and low, just clearing their heads. The 86-year-old six-time Masters champion warned the crowd beforehand. "Oh boy, watch out," he said as he stepped to the first tee. "And I don't mean that facetiously."
Nicklaus later recounted telling patrons to spread out on both sides because he did not want to injure anyone. "If it'd been a little closer I might have," he said. His drive contrasted with those of fellow honorary starters Gary Player, 90, and Tom Watson, 76, whose shots flew straight down the fairway during the first round of the 2026 Masters.
Nicklaus holds the men's record with six Masters victories among his 18 major championships. The honorary starters tradition features past champions kicking off the tournament each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Recovering from carpal tunnel surgery about six weeks earlier, Nicklaus expressed hope to continue the honor. "As long as I can still hit the golf ball," he said, adding he played just once last year and once in February. "It's such a nice ceremony, and it's a real honor to be invited. I hope to be able to do it as long as I can not kill anybody."
