Tom Watson To Join Jack Nicklaus And Gary Player As Honorary Starter At The Masters
Watson will join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an Honorary Starter for the 86th edition of the Masters.
The tradition of the Honorary Starter at The Masters dates back to 1963, with many, many legends of the game previously having the honour of hitting the first tee shots of the week at Augusta National.
Previously Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen, Ken Venturi, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Lee Elder have been Honorary Starters and now, two-time Masters champion, Tom Watson, will join the illustrious list alongside current starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced that Watson will join both Nicklaus and Player, with the 86th edition of the tournament beginning Thursday, 7th April, 2022.
“I am honoured that Tom has accepted our invitation,” said Ridley. “I look forward to commemorating his love for the game and impact on the Masters with his millions of fans across the globe, as he hits a tee shot alongside two of the tournament’s other all-time greats, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.”
Watson, who previously won the Masters in 1977 and 1981, made 42 consecutive starts from 1975-2016, the fifth-longest streak in the tournament's history. During those 42 starts, he managed an amazing 15 top-10's and is also only one of 17 players to win multiple Masters tournaments.
Speaking about his Honorary Starter inclusion, Watson said “Augusta National in April is one of my favourite places to be. I have many fond memories of both watching the Masters as a youngster and then competing in the Tournament for so many years. I am greatly honoured to join my friends and fellow competitors, Jack and Gary, as an Honorary Starter in this upcoming Masters.
"In both of my victories, Jack was on my heels. And when Gary won his third Tournament in 1978, I was there to help him put on the Green Jacket. Moments like those stand out in my career, and the opportunity to share the Honorary Starter tradition with Jack, Gary and the Masters patrons will be very special.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Charley Hull Suggests 'One Of My Favorite People On This Planet' For 2026 Solheim Cup Captaincy
The Team Europe star thinks there's a standout candidate to take over from Suzann Pettersen in the 2026 edition of the match at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘He’ll Be At Scratch In No Time’ – Robert MacIntyre Praises Tennis Legend Andy Murray's Golf Abilities
Robert MacIntyre thinks tennis legend Andy Murray, who he played alongside in the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am, can become a golfer to be reckoned with
By Mike Hall Published
-
This Much-Loved Masters Feature Just Made Its Full LIV Golf Debut
The 'Any Shot, Any Time' feature officially launched on the LIV Golf app in Andalucia as Sergio Garcia claimed victory at Valderrama
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Are Masters Champions Exempt For Life?
Winning the Masters comes with a lifetime exemption to future tournaments
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This Week
Career amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Scheffler The New Tiger? Time For Woods To Say Goodbye? 10 Takeaways From The 2024 Masters
We highlight ten of the key stories to come from the 88th edition of the Masters
By Michael Weston Published
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters Result
Gray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Eight Masters Contenders In The Field For This Week's $20 Million RBC Heritage
There's no respite for the world's elite as, following the Masters, the PGA Tour circuit moves to Harbour Town and the RBC Heritage
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Social Media Reacted To Scottie Scheffler's Second Masters Victory
Social media was awash with fans, legends, and brands congratulating Scheffler over his second Masters win in three years
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Masters Runner-Up Ludvig Aberg Has Major Ambitions (And World No.1 Goal)
The Swede sensation is targeting Major glory after pushing World No.1 Scottie Scheffler all the way at Augusta
By Michael Weston Published