2024 Honorary Starters at the Masters

Watch the Honorary Starters, a tradition dating to 1963. #themasters
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Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.
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[@victorkreitner754]

Somewhere above the clouds Arnolds looking down with a huge smile on his face watching his buddies tee off.

[@RG-ja34sep]

I’m from South Africa, and at the age of 88, you have to admire the great physical shape of Gary. However I am in awe of Jack, the greatest of all time, and watching him here brings big tears to my eyes, what a champion on and off the course!

[@cmugnolo]

He is a National Treasure for you.

[@michaelsimon5574]

Must be confused. Tiger is the greatest of all time.

[@alanpage3973]

​@@michaelsimon5574idiot

[@cmugnolo]

@@michaelsimon5574 You may never have watched Jack in person....same as the Jordan/LeBron debate between the generations.....LeBron IS THE man...but hands down...zero debate Jordan is the best.

[@cmugnolo]

Then again....really can't argue with you. Tiger MAY be the best of all time. Shame that his body is giving out on him. Robbed us of many years of his career that still should have been top notch based on his age.

[@mjproebstle]

This is the most humbling, inspirational and nostalgic annual moment in all of sport.

[@bcrater6400]

Wonderful to see Barbara caddying for Jack. Very special lady.

[@squidlesfiddles]

I'm kind of shocked she's as elderly looking as she is. The last time I saw her and Jack together, he clearly looked older than her. I hope she is doing okay.

[@buffaloben15golf88]

Yeah I thought that was pretty cool

[@steviechampagne]

@@squidlesfiddlesthat’s why we adore and cherish these moments… these moments could be gone tomorrow, i love celebrating the greats that paved the way for us

[@dttruman]

Jack has so much class for his choice of caddies here. By honoring his wife, he is showing us who is responsible for his successful golf career.

[@mikerogers1949]

Man Gary at 88 has incredible speed and mobility. Impressive

[@garyroberts3859]

Is he 88, wow those 5 years went so quickly.

[@DTB1995]

Gary Player is something who everyone should aspire to be like when theyre of old age..still in great shape..that leg kick is too wholesome and iconic

[@DMKFACTOR]

No matter how many times I’ve seen this through my lifetime dating back to when I was a kid watching Sarazen, Nelson, and Sneed to Jack, Arnie, and Gary. To one day Tiger, Phil, and Sir Nick! It never gets old, only more memorable!

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

Phil has become a pariah to the golf establishment, so I doubt if they'll ever offer him a spot as starter.

[@thomasspence307]

Agree. Shamefully will not ask Phil

[@jameshoward4540]

Class, dignity, and grace rarely seen in sports these days. That’s one reason I love golf. Tradition matters.

[@MurphyWoodcraftLLC]

Man I teared up seeing Jack waddle back from his tee shot. Such history to witness and respect for the game from all three lads. Jack and Tom are two of my all time favorites, thank you three amigos for all you gave the great game of golf.

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

Yep same here, was poignant.

[@eddycangolf]

This is literally one of the greatest traditions of the masters. You just love to see it!

[@kepler240]

The phrase "life is short" hits home when you see these guys.

[@JM-bt1uy]

To be alive and watch these three .... I'm lost for words. Thank you Gary, Jack and Tom. Legends live forever!!!!!

[@LeeMills-ml9jm]

How Great Is This!!! - To see a Sport Honour its Legends. These three Golfers are not only Legends of Golf but LEGENDS OF SPORT for their Impeccable Sportsmanship both on and off the field of play - something a lot of sportsmen, today, could watch and learn from. 🇬🇧🇿🇦🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@reidblundell8703]

Augusta National, just THANK YOU. tradition, love, entertainment, and aesthetic beauty almost perfected

[@Mantis_Toboggan_MD.]

It's a touch of class that the Masters does this every year.

[@jaychu3850]

Gary is 88 yrs old. Goes to show how taking care of your body pays off. Incredible.

[@winstonsmith11]

Absolutely. I was considering skipping my workout today, but Gary wouldn't like that. I'd better get to it.

[@coresnap]

@@winstonsmith11 imma skip it and just hate myself for it in 40yrs. XD

[@buffaloben15golf88]

I’ve never seen a better swing for someone of that age. Ever.

[@victorkreitner754]

How many 88 year olds can do a side leg kick like that after a tee shot? Just shows the years of strength and flexibility training Gary did to stay in that great shape. Age is a number, but the body is all about memory and how you discipline it daily.

[@steviechampagne]

@@victorkreitner75488 years old is insane…

[@bertblue9683]

Gives me chills watching these GOATS

[@briansmith8794]

Jack is the greatest ambassador for the game of golf that has ever lived. All 3 of these gentlemen are true legends, and it makes me smile seeing their joy at walking up to that first tee.

[@ababbington1]

What a treat it must be seeing these 3 greats in person. I love those guys and all so humble. 👌🇬🇧

[@bowlnow824]

One of my favorite parts of the masters

[@brianjensen7985]

3 true legends of the game.

[@pumanation]

One of the best traditions at Augusta

[@bobrunge7594]

I remember watching Palmer, Niklaus and Player back in the early 60’s. They were the reason I played golf starting in the 6th grade.

[@sylvandude1]

It’s wonderful seeing Nick Faldo in the crowd, he will be a honorary starter one day

[@winstonsmith11]

He surely will

[@Mantis_Toboggan_MD.]

Would've been nice to see Faldo, Seve & Langer teeing it up one day

[@Golfingmadness18]

@Mantis_Toboggan_MD. aww wouldn't it just 👍

[@Simple_Man_Golf]

Faldo absolutely deserves it! Makes you wonder who all will come up. Faldo, maybe Tiger, maybe someone like Langher?

[@Noamchomsky949]

These legends gave it their all on and off the coarse. Some of the best role models in life.

[@tonypapas9854]

Gary Player still in tremendous shape - WOW!

[@iwabeee8764]

Im looking forward to this moment every time the masters week starts

[@MagpieGeordie]

Pure Legends brings a tear to anyone’s eyes brilliant

[@ukdavepianoman]

Such a great tradition. Mr. Gary "1000 crunches a day" Player looking as fit as ever (he may have eased up to 900 a day now). Jack the GOAT and Tom. What a trio. They still have their swings.

[@kathybayer2681]

3 True Legends , brings tears to my eye's watched the Master's Tournament with my dad for many years ... brings back Amazing memories.

[@lindawillis2746]

Great memories of watching those wonderful golfers in my homeland of Scotland at St Andrews......

[@bradyplustwos]

One of the most magical moments every time and so wonderful to watch. Amazing

[@GrahamDavison-b8n]

3 of the greatest players to have played this wonderful game. Great to see them still swinging. ❤

[@nafnaf0]

The Honorary starters tradition is so cool. The production quality and coverage of the Masters is better than any other sporting I know of

[@jasonpenney8658]

Never gets old! Thank you, Augusta.

[@scottleung9587]

Love seeing this every year!

[@leroyrodgers6089]

This is actually a beautiful tradition that they have.

[@vertstang123]

Best part of the day! Loving me some Masters week, I'll be "working" from home today and tomorrow.

[@sappermade6012]

Listen, I don’t care how old Jack gets when he does that head tilt I still get chills

[@spencerdobkin9479]

He's the GOAT

[@jonathantrauner3742]

Never the same without Arnold Palmer 😢RIP FOREVER Arnold. The King Forever

[@Senerian]

Legends in the flesh. Hope they continue to age as gracefully as they have been.

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

These 3 men represent an age where sportsmanship was still alive.

[@cmugnolo]

If you are over 50 years old and this does not almost bring tears to your eyes.....you are not human.

[@plankface]

Agreed…I was picturing Mr Palmer up there, life goes one, but he is missed.

[@FloridaManRacer]

I'm under 40 and wiping my cheeks. I watched Jack, Gary, Tom, Arnie, Lee, Chi Chi and many others on the Senior tour and the Senior Skins games as a kid and have the ULTIMATE respect for these men. Seeing them swing one more is ALWAYS special.

[@darrencouzins6500]

It Did.

[@cmugnolo]

@@FloridaManRacer Def didn't mean to leave out the under 50.....stand corrected, 40 is old enough to know and love these guys...forgot about the Senior Tour exposing them to "younger' fans. Very tough seeing your childhood idols, especially if you love golf, fade away.

[@kykoora]

It’s just golf. Hardy a tearful moment.

[@tonypapas9854]

All the kidding aside.......look at those their eye when they get on that tee box and line up their drive. That laser focus comes right back.

[@bobypestano]

Remarkably touching looking at these there giants of the game of Golf continue to share their love and precious time with the world …

[@scottm1390]

Those three still got it! This was most enjoyable.

[@robhawk6463]

This ceremony is amazing. What a privilege to see these greats tee it up at Augusta. A great way to start the tournament.

[@travisog2056]

Love the down the line shot of when they drove the ball out there- Very Cool to be able to witness!!

[@gasperstarina9837]

Gary is 88y, Jack84, Tom 74 and they all hit great drives, finally when we see the drives-I was always curious how they hit them and they seems great for than age!

[@mylesfecundo8240]

Gary player still do his workouts 😅

[@kenchovan5910]

WOW! That was just so wonderful! You know how I LOVE golf and its HEROES therefrom! Thanks for posting this great moment in Golf History! And just look at that BEAUTIFUL GREEN GRASS! Whoo-Whoo! KEN

[@andywagner7712]

Well, the greatest tradition is golf was nothing short of spectacular! Growing up watching these guys was truly a precious gift. True legends of the game! A lot of emotions while watching this every year, hoping that their health allows them back again next year!

[@eddiemaylor2716]

What a fantastic tradition. Gary looks like he can keep playing for many more years.

[@matthewdrake9699]

I remember when this used to be Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson..

[@magnuswalker7957]

My generation of wonderful golfers whom i had the pleasure of watching at St. Andrews a long time ago. Jack can still put his ball on the tee, something I can no longer do 😢

[@sylvandude1]

An amazing point in this video is the quality of strike these guys have, the muscle memory still stripes that ball!

[@tomretallick1719]

So bittersweet to watch each year. Sweet to see the respect given to these true legends in this beautiful tradition at Augusta. But also sad to see these champions slightly embarrassed of themselves. I was 28 when Jack won number 6, so no spring chicken here, but my gosh what they were like in their primes was something to behold. Great show gentleman.

[@John_Wood_]

Great to see Jack looking better this year.

[@slocke4558]

Such a great tradition to honor the game every year. It would be nice to add Annika next year!

[@oldfox6355]

These old school greats were champions off the course. Life long marriages, scandal free, family values, integrity and respect. Different level that's near impossible to find today. Compared to the repugnant unbridled malice handed out mob style by so many PGA players to LIV players, even trading in the 911 lives lost to "win" - pure filth. The greatest generation is behind us, was an honor to see how life should be done. They brought joy and light wherever they went.

[@BillyRicker92]

A great tradition that never gets old along with the green jacket ceremony.

[@Preacher1519]

what a joy it must have been to have seen these that played the game in that outstanding, remarkable, memorable, indelible time of golf.

[@markmodicut7963]

Absolutely amazing! Best sport in the world.

[@jimgraham6407]

One of the many reasons I love this tournament!

[@bertraminc9412]

My favorite event of each and every year of my life. Wonderful to see Jack still swinging! Let's go Tiger!

[@michaelsu9060]

值得懷念的三位高爾夫球巨星❤❤❤

[@HKA-Rendition]

When Gary Player was asked to step onto the tee and they said "From South Africa", chills, even though this is known, love it when our sportsmen make it onto international stage and they mention our country.

[@vivektulja4516]

Was that Barbara caddying for Jack? What a wonderful couple. Seeing three of my childhood heroes was awesome.

[@JerryNordstrom]

I don't know of any other sport that does something quite like this. I guess the first pitch is one, but rarely do you have a dude who is 88 tossing a ball across the plate. Gary Player is an inspiration to keeping physically fit. Gary, Jack and Tom are amazing ambassadors of the game golf. When I think of Golf I think, The Open and The Masters... not necessarily in that order 🙂

[@ShawnEdmunds84]

Worth the wait! 3 great and spectacular shots right down the middle!❤❤❤

[@herenow6953]

This makes me so happy! What a wonderful start to a wonderful competition!

[@kowanmcgarry]

The greatest tradition to ever exist in golf. The honorary starters.❤

[@wilf18]

Brought a tear to my eyes.

[@johnnystir9796]

Jack's move looks better than in past years. Looks like he has recovered some power back into that swing.

[@karlosfandango6637]

Made me cry this. With a smile though. 😊

[@glenlivingstonegl]

Those three are the pioneers of todays golf tournaments there are so many traditions and rules of etiquette BECAUSE of them modern golf wouldn't look like it does without their influence the other one that sadly is missing from this lineup is the legendary Arnold Palmer

[@marclindblom9562]

Love all of these guys!

[@brianazmy3156]

Watching this ranks right up there with Christmas morning.

[@John-hs4ib]

I would love to see the three of them team up and play a best ball scramble. I bet they would shoot under par!

[@ee.es00]

Nicklaus, greatest golfer of all time, factually.

[@Dmcphotography101]

true legends in every sense of the word.

[@jimlahey3919]

This just makes me miss Arnie so much more

[@mfanakithi2002]

Love this tradition

[@Allaluca]

What a great tradition at The Masters 👏

[@jimpalmer4916]

A Tradition unlike any other. Man I feel like crying, but since men did not cry in the 1930s, nor will I.

[@pierremigneault]

The best weekend :)

[@near-tribe814]

Love seeing these 3 each year ❤

[@jacksaloman9513]

Poor Jack, he's on the 18th fairway of life.

[@sidpitter]

A true thing of beauty

[@joseluismartinezgonzalez1129]

Respect for tradition!

[@Ezekiel-2517]

Have a great day at The Masters, everyone.

[@TheVagolfer]

Tom is still smooth as silk at 74.

[@dads2006gt]

True legends of the game.

[@quantumpotential7639]

I hope Nicklaud gets his 7th green jacket this weekend. I'll be rooting for him. 💪

[@maxcaysey2844]

Man, times has caught up to Jack... as it does to all of us!

[@moboutmen]

Mother Nature and Father Time are both undefeated.

[@benfullmer4521]

The 3 Upcoming most Saddest Days of my Life is when these Golfing Gods are in Heaven. Each Masters we have with them as our Starters are Blessings

[@eddieerickson3348]

Jack is the best......ever. Remember he finished 2nd in 14 other majors. He won 18. So 32 majors. Insane

[@KG-xt4oq]

These 3 GIANTS of mankind...wish there were a LOT more like them...perhaps the world would be not so troubled.

[@SciMajor1]

Jack's 84 and he still hits it better off the tee than I've ever been capable of.

[@andrewganley9016]

Forget todays media obsessed look alikes these three greats are true sportsman and legends long my they live ! seeing Jack Niklous and his dear Lady put a lump in my throat

[@MrAJR76]

Today’s “look alikes”? What a truly stupid comment.

[@tonypapas9854]

Fred Ridley's tie with that green jacket......