Two-time Masters winner, Tom Watson, has been named as an honorary starter for this year’s Masters and would join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who have been named earlier. Honorary starters are veteran golf players who help to start of the Masters with a tee.

72-year-old Watson won the Masters in 1977 and 1981 and finished as runner up three times. His last professional appearance at the event was in 2016. Watson competed against Nicklaus and Player back in the days. Watson led Nicklaus with two shots to win the Masters in 1977. The next year, he was the one who helped Player put on his Green Jacket.

Relishing on his appointment, he said: “Moments like those stand out in my career, and the opportunity to share the honorary starter tradition with Jack, Gary, and the Masters patrons will be very special.

“Augusta National in April is one of my favourite places to be, with many fond memories of both watching the Masters as a youngster and then competing in the tournament for so many years.”

Tom Watson had a successful career and was particularly dominant in the 1970s and 1980s. He had a total of eight majors and was voted PGA Player of the Year six times.

Jack Niklaus, regarded as one of the best golf players of all time, has a total of 18 major wins, the highest for any golfer. He is also the one in charge of the Memorial Tournament, an event in the PGA Tour.

Gary Player was also another exceptional golfer during his prime, with nine major titles, including three Masters. Born in South Africa, he became the first non-American to win all four majors in a career at age 29, making him also the youngest to achieve such a feat.

The 2022 Masters would hold from April 4 — 10 at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Written by: Leon Osamor