Golf legend Arnold Palmer died in September 2016, meaning this week marks the first Masters in 59 years since Palmer first won the tournament in 1958.
Palmer was the honorary starter for the Masters—teeing off to start the tournament—in 2007, and he held that title until his death. Jack Nicklaus teed off with him starting in 2010, Gary Player joined them in 2012.
This year, the Masters did a tribute to Palmer before Nicklaus and Player teed off.
Palmer’s widow, Kit Gawthrop, was in attendance, and Augusta National chairman Billy Payne gave a speech, before a moment of silence was held.
Palmer was an eccentric personal who helped expand the popularity of golf and the Masters. After teeing off, Nicklaus gave his own tribute to ESPN.
“Arnold came along at a time when television was getting started,” Nicklaus said. “It was a time when the game was really stimulated by Arnold. The Masters was just sort of getting its feet wet. Arnold made it popular and took the tournament from just being popular to one of the biggest events in golf.
“The Masters did make Arnold in many ways because of his wins in ’58, ’60, ’62 and ’64. But in another way Arnold made the Masters. I think Arnold put the Masters on the map. They were very good for each other.”
[ESPN]
