Gary Player to be an honorary starter at Masters

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AUGUSTA, Georgia (AP) -- The original "Big Three" will be together again on the first tee at Augusta National next year.

Gary Player has agreed to join Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as an honorary starter at the Masters. They have 13 Green Jackets among them. The last time they were on the opening tee together was in 2001, when they played in the same group over the first two rounds. Next year, they will hit only one shot in a ceremonial start to the tournament.

The tradition of an honorary starter at the Masters began in 1963.

Palmer first accepted the role in 2007, and Nicklaus joined him in 2010. The last time the Masters had three honorary starters was in 1999 with Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead.