Nelson takes last shot at Masters

Byron Nelson, Masters champion in 1937 and 1942, struck the first shot of the 2001 tournament on Thursday and his last at Augusta National.

Nelson, 89, played in the second year of the Masters in 1935 and has been associated with the championship ever since. He said this year he would retire after having served as honorary starter since 1981.

On a cool, overcast morning Nelson posed briefly for photographers with 88-year-old Sam Snead before driving the ball crisply 100 yards down the fairway.

"I want to thank you, the greatest gallery in the world who have supported me all these years," said Nelson, who confessed he had struck only eight balls all year, to the throng of spectators at the first tee.

He was followed by three-times champion Snead, introduced by William "Hootie" Johnson, chairman of Augusta National, as owning "the sweetest swing in golf".

Snead told reporters he had been happy just to get the ball off the tee.

"It would have been something to see it go up the hill," he said.

Asked if he would be starting next year's tournament by himself, Snead replied: "I hope not. You've got to have somebody else. I guess Arnie (Palmer) and Jack (Nicklaus) are next."

Snead paid tribute to his partner, who retired in 1945 after winning 18 tournaments, including a record 11 in a row.

"That's the best one he's hit," he said. "He's got to come back again."