Jack Nicklaus will be Honorary Starter for the 2010 Masters

Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today that six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer as an Honorary Starter for the 2010 Masters.

“I am honored that Jack Nicklaus has accepted our invitation,” Payne said. “We are delighted and fortunate to have such a great ambassador and icon of our sport take part in this tradition. He has inspired generations of golfers and having Jack join Arnold on the first tee next April will be a special thrill for his many loyal fans around the world.”

Nicklaus made his first appearance at the Masters in 1959 as an amateur. In 45 starts at Augusta National, he became the most decorated Masters champion with six Green Jackets, winning in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986. Among his many remarkable records is his tie for most runner-up finishes (four) and his record as oldest champion (46 years, 2 months, 23 days) with his win in ’86.

“I have had such a long-standing appreciation and love affair with Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, and this honor is a wonderful way for me to say thank you to the many patrons who have supported me over the decades,” Nicklaus said. “I am also delighted to join my longtime friend Arnold on the tee. I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacy at the Masters, and I did not, in any way, want to infringe on the opportunity for Arnold to have and enjoy this Masters tradition for himself. He is so deserving of this honor, and thus I felt it was his time, not mine. Recently, I was invited by both Augusta National and Arnold to join him on the first tee, and because he enthusiastically supported the invitation, it became an easy decision for me.”

The custom of having Honorary Starters began in 1963 with Jock Hutchison (1963-1973) and Fred McLeod (1963-1976) performing the duties. Byron Nelson (1981-2001, non-consecutive), Gene Sarazen (1981-99), Ken Venturi (1983), Sam Snead (1984-2002) and Arnold Palmer (2007-present) continued the practice.

The presentation of the Honorary Starters and ceremonial tee shots historically take place preceding the first tee time of the first competitive round during Tournament week, signaling the official beginning of Masters competition.

Palmer was glad to have his friend and rival join him again.

"It has been a pleasure to have been a part of this special tradition at the Masters these last couple of years, and it's certainly appropriate that Jack become a part of that tradition, given his great record at Augusta National," Palmer said in a statement released through the Associated Press. "I welcome having my longtime good friend and competitor with me next year on the first tee."

The 2010 Masters is scheduled for April 8-11.

For more information, contact Steve Ethun at (706) 667-6705 or visit www.masters.com.