'Big Three' still competitive in starting Masters

Jack Nicklaus of the U.S. and fellow former Masters champions Arnold Palmer of the U.S. (L) and Gary Player of South Africa pose for a picture after the ceremonial start of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia April 10, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - The 'Big Three' of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player showed their competitive juices still flowed after striking tee shots to launch the Masters Tournament at Augusta National on Thursday.

Elder statesman Palmer, 84, a four-times Masters champion, hit a solid blow up the middle with the first ceremonial shot, before three-times winner Player, 78, outdrove him by about 50 yards up the hill some 210 yards from the tee.