He had been thinking about becoming the ceremonial starter for a few years now. It used to be a fixture, but the Masters hasn’t had one since Sam Snead died five years ago.

With a new chairman on board, this was the time. And Palmer also understood that time might be running out.

“I didn’t want to get up and die before I did it,” Palmer said. “Getting to my age, at some point you’ve got to think about that.”

There was nothing riding on this tee shot, unlike the 50 other drives he had hit off the first tee on Thursday morning of previous Masters. Still, Palmer wasn’t going to take any chances.

He took two drivers to the range, hitting about 20 balls before picking the one he would swing. Then it was off to the first tee, where his arrival was announced by a wave of applause that began at the clubhouse and spread to the course.

The familiar glint was in his eye, and he posed for pictures with new chairman Billy Payne. He joked to Payne that if he hit it well, he might play 18.

A chilly breeze blew into his face as long, early-morning shadows framed the famous opening par 4. Around him, fans streamed into the course hoping to catch a glimpse.

Palmer put his tee into the ground, addressed the ball and looked down the fairway.

“Sure is beautiful, isn’t it,” he said to no one in particular.

He then hunched over in a familiar stance, waggled the club and swung. His confidence wasn’t what it once was and he had been afraid he would top it.

Slide show   Scenes from Masters Top images from Augusta

But he struck it solidly and the ball headed toward the left rough about 200 yards away.

The crowd applauded, and Palmer smiled his familiar smile. On the tee, pictures were taken and hands were shaken.

Now, his day was over, and it was time to head back in the clubhouse.

Another memory had been made.

And the Masters had officially begun.

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