Arnold Palmer won’t hit ceremonial tee shot to start 2016 Masters

Arnold Palmer will not participate in the ceremonial tee shot to open the 2016 Masters tournament next month.

In one of the best traditions in the sport of golf, folks from across the globe make sure to be at Augusta National for the opening of The Masters tournament. At that event, three of the best to ever hit the links — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player — get things started with the ceremonial tee shots to begin the tournament.

The three men have been a fixture to start the major event, with Palmer only missing it one time (2007). As it turns out, the 2016 Masters will be the second time this tradition doesn’t take place with all the regular members, as Palmer will still attend the Masters and participate in other events that don’t involve him swinging a club.

At 87 years old, it isn’t a surprise that Palmer may be hanging up his golf shoes for good. He had surgery in late 2014 for a shoulder injury that hasn’t allowed him to swing a golf club, which makes this decision a no-brainer. Still, it’s a sad moment for diehard fans of the sport who may not get to see this event take place ever again.

The PGA Tour is in Orlando this weekend for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Country Club. In his career at Augusta, Palmer won four Masters green jackets, with the last one coming over 50 years ago.

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