For those who celebrate, I hope you have been enjoying the Masters! It’s a tradition unlike any other.
There are a lot of traditions at the Masters Tournament. From the Par 3 Contests, to the Champions Dinner, the Green Jacket, the no cell phones, low-priced concessions, and the most beautiful course that is always in perfect condition. But my favorite tradition at the Masters is the Honorary Starters Ceremony.
Honorary Starters
Initiated in 1963, the Honorary Starters Ceremony takes place on the first tee on the Thursday morning before the first round. It starts with 86-years-old Jack Nicklaus (six-time Masters Champion), 90-years-old Gary Player (three-time Masters Champion), and 76-years-old Tom Watson (two-time Masters Champion). These men have left their footprint in the history of golf. They can still hit the ball (not like they used to, but impressive for their age). They may be getting older, but the Honorary Starters Ceremony will never get old. It’s a tradition the patrons cherish. We never know when it will be the last time we see one of golf’s greats take their final swing.
Every time you see the sunshine peeking through the trees, that’s Arnold Palmer saying hello to his friends. Arnie was nicknamed the King and a four-time Masters Champion. Arnie, Jack and Gary were known as “the Big Three” in golf for their popularity and dominance. From 2007 to 2016 the Big Three served as the honorary starters. Arnie passed in 2016 at the age of 87.
No Phil and No Tiger
The 2026 Masters Tournament is the first time since 1994 that neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson is playing in the traditional major. A 32-year streak of having at least one of these golf legends competing at Augusta National has ended. Phil Mickelson (three-time Masters Champion) withdrew to “manage a private family health matter”. The tradition of me picking on Phil will have to be put on hold until he returns to golf.
Tiger Woods (five-time Masters Champion) we think he is in rehab for his driving incidents off the course. How can someone go from being the best driver in the world to being the worst driver in the world? Does he not have the Uber or Lyft app to schedule a ride? He really does have nine lives and the world of golf is rooting for his recovery.
Rory still has time to be Rory
Rory McIlroy is the defending Masters Champion. Maybe it’s just me, but he’s not very likeable. He won four majors from 2011-2014 and then ended a ten-year major win drought by finally winning the Masters last year. With the Masters win, he completed golfs ‘Grand Slam’ (winning all four majors).
I just don’t like it when he talks. His accent aside (nails on a chalkboard), it’s his choice of words. Just see for yourself and listen to this video about his Master preparation.
He is bragging about skipping three PGA tournaments prior to the Masters, so he could take day trips to Augusta on his private jet to get in more practice. It’s as if he thinks he’s flexing, saying how hard he worked. However, all he is saying is that he didn’t show up to PGA events when other golfers did. He used his privilege of having access to a private jet to fly to Augusta for the day to practice and then fly back home.
Again, maybe it’s just me, but the tradition of not liking Rory, continues to grow. People have to commute to work to make a living, that’s respectable. Bragging about taking private jets to get ahead is an all-time ‘go bleep yourself’ comment.
Rory started Saturday’s third round with a six-shot lead but ended the day one over par. Rory is now tied with Cameron Young heading into Sunday’s final round. Ah, all that wasted jet fuel just to go into Sunday tied for the lead; let the tradition of Rory choking continue.
Sunday at the Masters
The Masters final round will tee off at 9:06 a.m. Sunday, April 12th. Dustin Johnson’s tee time is 9:50 a.m. -I will forever root for DJ, especially on Sunday! Keep your eyes on 1:52 p.m. Scottie Scheffler could birdie his way to the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.
Don’t count out Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, Jason Day, or Justin Rose either. All are well within range of ending Sunday in a green jacket. It’s Sunday at the Masters, and we are in for a tradition unlike any other.
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