The Masters lost Lee Elder as an honorary starter last year and made a move to fill his spot this week.
Tom Watson will join with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in the group to kick off the 2022 Masters in April.
Augusta National made the announcement on Tuesday, adding Watson, who won two Green Jackets. What isn’t clear is Watson’s tenure. There was no mention of him becoming a permanent member of the starting threesome.
Watson put together this statement:
“Augusta National in April is one of my favorite places to be. With the many fond memories of both watching the Masters as a youngster and then competing in the tournament for so many years, I am greatly honored to join my friends and fellow competitors, Jack and Gary, as an honorary starter in this upcoming Masters.”
Arnold Palmer was a long-time honorary starter until he died in 2016. Elder appeared with Nicklaus and Player on the first tee at last year’s Masters but his failing health prevented him from hitting a tee shot.
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
Some names that immediately come to mind are Lee Trevino, who did not win a Masters but it’s Lee Trevino; gentle Ben Crenshaw who won 2 masters of his own and is only 2 years younger than Tom Watson.
Also Tom kite never won a masters but finished second multiple times at Augusta to go with his US Open title.
There are surely more names to consider.
Tom Edrington
Knowing Fred and the thinking at ANGC, they don’t have a list…..it’s whomever they deem worthy when its time for consideration
baxter cepeda
That makes sense. For the time being Jack and Gary hopefully are fixtures. It would be cool if the third honorary starter is a a rota of a bunch of great players 7o and over.
But This is where it is unfortunate Lee Trevino was never a Masters champ, otherwise the 82 year old would also be a fixture along with Jack and Gary.
Tom Edrington
That and the fact that Lee Buck always dissed the Masters by changing his shoes in the parking lot…..The Masters wants those who are part of the lore.