“FORE LEFT!” Jack Nicklaus laughs off hooked tee shot to start 2026 Masters

Record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus was left momentarily red-faced after hooking his ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2026 Masters — but the Golden Bear quickly laughed it off in front of patrons at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 86-year-old, making his latest appearance as an Honorary Starter at The Masters, provided the morning’s most memorable moment as his drive veered sharply left toward patrons lining the first fairway.

After jokingly warning those standing in that direction moments earlier, Nicklaus could only smile as his ball tracked exactly where he most feared. 

The patrons responded with laughter and warm applause, with the record six-time Masters champion embracing the mishit and waving off the moment with trademark charm.

The ceremonial tee shots remain one of Augusta’s most treasured traditions, formally introduced in 1963 to honour legends of the game. 

This year marked the fifth occasion that Nicklaus shared the stage with fellow greats Gary Player and Tom Watson.

Moments before, Player had set the tone by striping his drive down the middle and finishing with his iconic leg kick to the delight of the patrons.

Nicklaus, by contrast, delivered the unexpected highlight. 

After his unfortunate hooked effort, he left his tee in the ground and gestured as if to say he wouldn’t be needing it again — drawing further appreciation from those gathered around the first tee.

Watson rounded off proceedings with a crisp strike of his own, even jokingly asking Nicklaus, “Can I use your tee?” before sending his drive down the fairway to a chorus of oohs and aahs.

The trio were introduced by Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.

After Watson hit the final tee shot, Ridley declared: “The 2026 Masters is now underway.”

Nicklaus will also this week appear as part of Amazon’s inaugural Masters coverage, marking a new broadcasting partnership alongside CBS Sports and ESPN.

Nicklaus, 86, has won The Masters six times, in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, and 1986, with victories spanning more than two decades and making him the tournament’s oldest champion at 46.

Player, 90, won The Masters three times, in 1961, 1974, and 1978, becoming the first non-American champion and achieving 15 top-10 finishes in 52 appearances. 

Watson, 76, won The Masters twice, in 1977 and 1981, defeating legends such as Nicklaus and Johnny Miller to claim his green jackets.

Scroll down to check out the full history of Honorary Starters in Masters history...