Arnold Palmer pumps his fist after hitting his ceremonial tee shot before the first round of Masters on Thursday.(Photo Michael Madrid USA TODAY Sports)

AUGUSTA Ga. The three legends walked to the first tee through a throng of admirers. As ceremonial firsts go you can't get much better than Arnold Palmer Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player starting your event.

Emerging from the Augusta National clubhouse to cheers and pats on the back and walking about 50 yards to the first tee the Big Three got the 77th edition of the Masters underway on a misty cloudy Thursday.

MASTERS Tee times TV schedule

At 7 45 a.m. ET Palmer a four time champion hit a solid drive down the right side of the fairway thrusting his fist in celebration. Player a three time champion was next and he too found the fairway. Nicklaus who has won a record six times at Augusta topped off the perfect fairways in regulation with another solid drive.

Masters champion Sandy Lyle John Peterson and amateur Nathan Smith officially hit the first tee shots at 8 a.m.

On the scene A steady stream of spectators headed down to Amen Corner to get a prime seating location an hour at least before any player gets there. Many however are making stops on the right side of 10 to see where Bubba Watson was when he hit his miracle shot last year. The area is getting trampled down don't know if that will make the shot easier if it comes up again

The Big Oak Tree between the clubhouse and the first tee the main hub of Augusta National was buzzing this morning. Nicklaus was holding court with a few reporters while wife Barbara patiently once again waited for the scrum to end. Major champions Lanny Wadkins and Fuzzy Zoeller the 1979 Masters champion were chatting with friends. CBS announcer Jim Nantz was given an interview and talking with fans. Green jackets were on the veranda. Television crews were already in full gear. There are a few lulls in the action under the Oak estimated to be 150 years old but throughout the day it's a busy place and basically a happening every day.

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