When 69-year-old Arnold Palmer struck his tee shot on the first hole today, he will have played in a record 45th consecutive Masters.

Palmer was tied with Sam Snead for the most Masters starts in succession.

"I'm pleased to be playing in my 45th at Augusta," Palmer said. ``I hope I can make it to the big wedding anniversary (his 50th Masters) in a few years."

Never mind Palmer has missed the cut in every Masters since 1984. He outlasted old rival Jack Nicklaus, who ended his streak at 40 straight because of hip surgery.

Palmer is a four-time Masters winner and has played 138 rounds on the course.

"Maybe lightning will strike this year and I'll make the cut," Palmer said.

HAMMERING HANK KUEHNE: Air raid sirens should sound on Washington Avenue when U.S. amateur champion Hank Kuehne takes to the practice tee.

He has been driving balls onto the street over an 85-foot fence some 285 yards away. The fence was put up to keep John Daly and Tiger Woods from being able to hit balls over it.

"It's amazing how far Hank hits it," said British amateur champion Sergio Garcia. "He's at least 20 yards longer than I am."

Officials asked Kuehne to hit as few drivers as possible when he warms up to spare the cars. Finally they asked him to stop.

"I was a little embarrassed," said Kuehne said. ``I don't want anyone upset at me around here."

Kuehne, who can hit the ball 10-15 yards farther than Tiger Woods, impressed Arnold Palmer during a practice round on Wednesday, smashing a drive 310 yards on the first hole and leaving only a sand wedge to the green of the 410-yard par-4.

"Arnie loved it the way I go after the ball," Kuehne said. ``He told me to keep going after it."

Other amazing power displays by Kuehne this week included hitting the 500-yard, par-5 No. 15 with a driver and a wedge, and hitting a driver over the towering trees down the leftside of the 485-yard, par-5 No. 13, leaving 105 yards to the green.

PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM: Sam Snead, 86, winner of three Masters, Byron Nelson, 87, winner of two Masters, and Gene Sarazen, winner of one Masters, will serve as honorary starters for tournament play on Thursday.

Snead, who played in 44 Masters, has been an honorary starter since 1984. Nelson, who played at Augusta 29 times, has served as honorary starter since 1981.

Sarazen, 97, played in 34 Masters and has been honorary starter since 1981.

All three will hit drives down the first fairway, then retire to the clubhouse.

NELSON HONORED: Byron Nelson got another honor this week. A bronze likeness was unveiled at a ceremony off Riverwalk Augusta.

The work, sponsored by the Creel Foundation, eventually will stand in the gardens of the Georgia Hall of Fame, which is under construction at Reynolds and 15th streets.

The first statue of Nelson's likeness stands at The Players Course at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Los Colinas, Texas, site of the GTE Byron Nelson Classic each year.

SLOW AND EASY: Masters competition committee chairman Will Nicholson admits play could be slower this year during the first 36 holes, because the tournament will be played in threesomes instead of twosomes until the weekend.

"We had a pair time of 4:38 last year and I think a substantial portion of the field could be through in about 4:40 this year," he said. "There could be a few five-hour rounds late in the day from the last pairings."