The 90th Masters Tournament officially began under a perfect Augusta sky, with a moment of pure, unfiltered golf history. The ceremonial first tee shots, a cherished tradition since 1963, were struck by the legendary trio of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, setting the stage for the week's drama.

At 90 years young, Gary Player set the standard, launching a drive straight down the fairway and celebrating with his signature, energetic leg kick. The Golden Bear, 86-year-old Jack Nicklaus, followed with a playful warning to the patrons. "Oh, boy, watch out," he joked before unleashing a low hook that sailed just a couple of feet over the heads of the crowd lining the left side. "I said, 'Spread out on both sides because I don’t want to kill anybody,'" Nicklaus quipped afterward. "If it'd been a little closer I might have."

Completing the trio, 76-year-old Tom Watson asked to use the tee Nicklaus had left in the ground. "It’s why I left it," replied the six-time Masters champion. Watson then stepped up and striped his drive right down the center, a picture-perfect swing that belied his years. With that, the tournament was officially underway.

This tradition is a cornerstone of the Masters' unique atmosphere, connecting the game's past to its present. From the early days with Jock Hutchinson and Fred McLeod to the iconic pairings of Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player, the honorary starters embody the spirit of the event. Watson, who joined the duo after Palmer's passing in 2016, still recalls the awe he felt as a young amateur witnessing the ritual in 1970. It's a timeless opening act that reminds every fan and player of the legacy they are now a part of.