After shooting an 89 in Thursday's first round, Palmer said that the time had come to stop playing competitively at Augusta National.

``It's over. It's done,'' Palmer said. ``There's some things in life that are inevitable and I'm facing that now.''

The 72-year-old Palmer, playing in his 48th Masters, was given two standing ovations as he approached the 18th green following a round that was more ceremonial than competitive.

Palmer kissed women in the gallery and greeted old friends as he toured the course, but clearly was upset with his game after shooting a 47 on the front side that included a 4-putt double bogey on the first hole.

``I'm not sad about it. I'm just sad I'm not playing the kind of golf I'd like to represent,'' Palmer said.

His decision to drop out came after the Masters asked three former champions not to play this year because their games were not up to tournament standards.

``I didn't want to get a letter,'' Palmer said.