Tom Watson, a two-time Masters champion, has been named an honorary starter with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Tom Watson has been honoured as an honorary starter at the Masters.

The 72-year-old American won the Masters twice in his career, in 1977 and 1981, for a total of eight majors.

Watson will hit the ceremonial first tee shot at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7-10, continuing a tradition that began in 1963.

“I am ecstatic to be competing with my friends and competitors, Jack and Gary,” Watson remarked.

The Watson-Nicklaus rivalry produced some epic major tournament spectacles, with Watson defeating six-time winner Nicklaus by two strokes to win his first Green Jacket in 1977.

“Jack was right behind me in each of my victories. “I was there to help Gary put on the Green Jacket when he won his third tournament in 1978,” Watson remarked.

“In my career, moments like that stand out, and the chance to share the honorary starting tradition with Jack, Gary, and the Masters patrons will be very special.”

“One of my favourite locations to visit in April is Augusta National, where I have many happy memories of both watching the Masters as a child and then competing in the tournament for so many years.”

In addition to his two triumphs at Augusta, Watson has placed second three times and made his final competitive appearance at the Masters in 2016, 45 years after his debut appearance on the PGA Tour.

Until Palmer’s death in 2016, Nicklaus and Player were joined as honorary starters by another legend Arnold Palmer.