The drivers Nicklaus, Player, and Watson used to kick off the Masters

There is nothing quite like the Masters honorary starters ceremony featuring former Masters champions and legends of the game. This year Gary Players literally kicked things off, followed by Jack Nicklaus and finally Tom Watson.

Between the three of them, they hold more than a decade’s worth of Masters wins — 11 total — and these are the drivers they used off the first tee.

Jack Nicklaus

With Barbara at his side, Jack teed off with a TaylorMade Qi10 LS and after picking up his tee joyously declared to the large crowd “I hit it”, which had the patrons around the tee erupt into laughter.

Gary Player

Gary teed off with PXG’s newest Black Opps driver and then enthusiastically, in what’s become a tradition of his, kicked the air to celebrate the moment.

PXG 0311 Black Ops Custom Driver

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AMF Face Technology PXG 0311 Black Ops Drivers deliver big distance gains using a propriety high strength, and more flexible, Titanium Alloy face material that supports increased face deflection during impact. High Strength Composite Contruction Lightweight crown and sole inserts, made from high-grade carbon fiber using advanced compression molding, enable optimal weight distribution in the clubhead. This enhances the moment of inertia (MOI), shifts the center of gravity (CG) lower and farther back, resulting in improved distance and forgiveness. Non-Uniform Buldge and Roll Face The face design supports enhanced forgiveness and improves overall performance by optimizing the club’s reaction to off-center hits.

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Tom Watson

Even with access to whatever gear he could possibly choose, the third and final ceremonial tee shot hit by Mr. Watson was with a Callaway Epic Sub-Zero from 2019. The Sub-Zero was a precursor to the triple diamond, the more compact and lower-spin model in Callaway’s lineup.

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