Jack To Join Arnold On Masters First Tee

Jason Sobel reports (thanks reader Lee):

Nicklaus, who made the last of his 45 career Masters appearances in 2005, said he was previously reluctant to steal the spotlight from Palmer, but accepted the invitation when his longtime friend and rival encouraged such a move.

"I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacy at the Masters, and I did not, in any way, want to infringe on the opportunity for Arnold to have and enjoy this Masters tradition for himself," Nicklaus said in a statement released Monday by Augusta National Golf Club. "He is so deserving of this honor, and thus I felt it was his time, not mine.

"Recently, I was invited by both Augusta National and Arnold to join him on the first tee, and because he enthusiastically supported the invitation, it became an easy decision for me."