THE MASTERS RELATED STORIES The Masters Home Page The Masters Preview Round 4: Angel Cabrera wins Masters in a playoff Round 4: Mickelson & Tiger in epic duel Round 4: Katayama in best finish by a Japanese Round 4: Campbell rues missed opportunities Round 4: Late mistakes cost Kenny Perry dearly Round 4: McIlroy ends Masters in flurry of birdies Round 4: Augusta passes renovations test Round 4: Thrilling climax to classic Masters Round 3: Kenny Perry & Angel Cabrera lead by 2 Round 3: Woods & Mickelson paired on Sunday Round 3: Shingo Katayama aiming for Asian major Round 3: Padraig Harrington's chances go with a 9 Round 2: Campbell & Perry lead at halfway Round 2: Anthony Kim breaks birdie record Round 2: No progress for Tiger with round of 72 Round 2: Todd Hamilton shows return to form Round 1: Arnold Palmer gets Masters underway Round 1: Chad Campbell leads the way with a 65 Round 1: Tiger Woods opens with a 70 Round 1: Larry Mize surprised to be five under Round 1: Norman creating new Masters memories Round 1: Youngsters fail to make an impression Course Guide: Augusta National The Masters Scores Criticism grows over tougher Augusta Sergio Garcia looking to shake unwanted label Seve Ballesteros remembered at Augusta Tim Clark wins the Masters Par-3 competition Chilly weather greets players at Augusta Greg Norman returns for another shot at Augusta Tee times for the opening two rounds Tiger Woods 7-4 favourite for the Masters Trevor Immelman emotional about title defence Padraig Harrington aiming for third straight major Tiger Woods carries aura into Masters Corporate cut backs in evidence Tiger Woods comeback the talk of The Masters Golf's younger generation tee up at Augusta Final Masters for Gary Player Time running out for Masters hopefuls Fifteen qualify for 2009 Masters Tiger Woods confident of returning for Masters Only minor changes at Augusta for 2009 Masters Honda brings Yang top 150 and Masters slot 2009 PGA Tour Schedule and Results 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 COMPETITIONS, GIFTS AND OFFERS WIN a 3 night sunshine break in Spain! WIN 18 holes, dinner, B&B at Oulton Hall WIN the Official Open 2011 DVD WIN The Golf Miscellany Open Champion Tom Watson's DVD Get the Open Fairways card for just £59!

Arnold Palmer gets the Masters underway

Four-times champion Arnold Palmer hit the ceremonial first shot at the par-four opening hole to launch the 73rd Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday.

The 79-year-old American, a crowd favourite at Augusta since his debut in 1955, struck his drive down the right side of the fairway, sparking applause from the spectators crammed around the tee.

Palmer, a winner of seven major titles, had been formally introduced by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne.

“No one has meant more to golf than our honorary starter this morning,” Payne said.

Ten minutes later, 1991 champion Ian Woosnam of Britain struck the tournament’s first competitive shot by teeing off at the first. Woosnam was followed by Americans Chez Reavie and Briny Baird.

Palmer, who made his 50th and final competitive appearance here in 2004, performed the role of honorary starter at the Masters for the third 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 number one Tiger Woods, overwhelming favourite to win this year’s Masters, was scheduled to launch his bid for a 15th major title at 1352 local (1752 GMT).

A four-times winner of the year’s opening major, Woods has been grouped with fellow American Stewart Cink and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh for the first two rounds.

Twice Masters champion Phil Mickelson has been drawn with fellow American Jim Furyk and Colombian Camilo Villegas for the first two rounds. They start at 1045 (1445).

Fijian Vijay Singh, who won the 2000 Masters, was set to tee off with Australian world number four Geoff Ogilvy and South African Ernie Els at 1023, two groups in front of Mickelson and company.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington, who will be bidding for a rare third consecutive major victory this week, has a 1034 start with 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir of Canada and Japan’s Ryuji Imada.

Clubhouse Scores