Jack Nicklaus Hooks Honorary Tee Shot at 2026 Masters

Jack Nicklaus, the 86-year-old golf legend and six-time Masters champion, hooked his ceremonial tee shot low and left over the heads of spectators lining the first fairway at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, kicking off the 2026 Masters Tournament.

The errant shot, which traveled about 110 yards after clearing the crowd by a few feet, prompted laughter from the gallery and Nicklaus himself. Before addressing the ball, he issued a serious warning to the fans gathered nearby. "Oh, boy, watch out," he said. "And I don't mean that facetiously." He later added that he had instructed them to "spread out on both sides because I don't want to kill anybody." Reflecting on the moment afterward, Nicklaus said, "I was a little worried. I had carpal tunnel surgery about five, six weeks ago, and I was worried about being able to hold onto the golf club and hurt somebody. That was my issue today. I'm fortunate that I got it over somebody's head. I didn't hit it very well, but I got it over their heads and didn't hurt anybody."

Nicklaus, who has served as an honorary starter since 2010, shared the tradition with fellow legends Gary Player, 90, and Tom Watson, 76. Player went first,...