Jack Nicklaus’ ceremonial tee shot at the Masters comes dangerously close to patrons

Jack Nicklaus gave Masters patrons a little scare Thursday erstwhile his ceremonial tee changeable veered a small excessively adjacent for comfort.

The legendary golfer and 18-time awesome victor had a informing for patrons astatine Augusta National arsenic he lined up his shot, and it proved to beryllium warranted.

Jack Nicklaus hits nan ceremonial tee changeable connected nan first spread during nan first information of nan Masters play tourney astatine Augusta National Golf Club successful Augusta, Ga., connected April 9, 2026. (David J. Phillip/AP)

"Oh boy, watch out," Nicklaus, 86, said arsenic he approached nan tee. "And I don't ​mean that facetiously."

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Unlike 90-year-old Gary Player’s shot, which went correct down nan mediate of nan first fairway, Nicklaus’ changeable went near of nan tee container and low, conscionable hardly clearing nan heads of nan patrons looking on.

 "I said, ‘Spread retired connected some sides because I don’t want to termination anybody,'" Nicklaus said afterward. "If it'd been a small person I mightiness have."

Tom Watson, 76, rounded retired nan ceremonial tee changeable pinch different thrust correct down nan middle. 

Jack Nicklaus hits nan ceremonial tee changeable connected nan first spread during nan first information of nan Masters play tourney astatine Augusta National Golf Club successful Augusta, Ga., connected April 9, 2026. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

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Nicklaus hopes to beryllium included successful nan contented for arsenic agelong arsenic he’s capable to. After undergoing carpal passageway room astir six weeks ago, nan six-time Masters champ said he was unsure if he’d make it to nan tee box. 

"I was worried astir being capable to clasp onto nan play nine and wounded somebody," he said. "I’m fortunate that I sewage it complete somebody’s head. I didn’t deed it very well, but I sewage it complete their heads and didn’t wounded anybody. As agelong arsenic I tin still deed nan play ball."

He admitted to playing play conscionable erstwhile past twelvemonth and again successful February.

Jack Nicklaus hits nan ceremonial tee changeable connected nan first spread during nan first information of nan Masters connected April 9, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP)

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"It’s specified a bully ceremony, and it’s a existent grant to beryllium invited," Nicklaus added. "I dream to beryllium capable to do it arsenic agelong arsenic I tin not termination anybody."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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