FOUR-time champion Arnold Palmer hit the ceremonial first shot at the par-four 1st hole before lingering fog at Augusta National delayed the start of the 72nd Masters by an hour.The 78-year-old American, a crowd favourite at Augusta since his debut in 1955, struck his drive straight down the middle before his ball disappeared in the fog.
"I`ve hit it out of sight," the seven times major winner said with a smile.
Palmer had been formally introduced on the first tee by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne.
"It is my distinct honour and pleasure to introduce to you this morning a man who is synonymous with the game of golf and the Masters," Payne said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, on the tee a man respected around the world, Mr Arnold Palmer."
One hour later, after the fog was burned off by early morning sunshine, American Ben Curtis struck the tournament`s first competitive shot by teeing off at the first. Curtis was followed by his compatriot and playing partner Shaun Micheel.
Palmer, who made his 50th and final competitive appearance in 2004, performed the role as honorary starter at the Masters for the second time.
Three times champion Sam Snead was the last player, before Palmer, to strike the ceremonial first drive of the tournament in April 2002. Honorary starter since 1984, Snead died at the age of 89 the following month.
World No. 1 Tiger Woods was scheduled to launch his bid for a 14th major title mid-morning.
A four times winner of the year`s opening major, Woods has been grouped with US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Australia`s Stuart Appleby for the first two rounds.
Twice Masters champion Phil Mickelson has been drawn with Argentina`s Andres Romero and K.J. Choi of South Korea. They start at 1441 in the third-last group.
Fijian Vijay Singh, who won the 2000 Masters, will tee off with Americans Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink at 1430, one group in front of Mickelson and company.
Reuters
