The trio formerly known as golf’s ’Big Three’ – they have 13 Masters titles between them – continued their role as honorary starters by each hitting a tee shot on the par-four first hole.

And it was 79-year-old fitness fanatic Player who produced the longest drive by around 10 yards from 75-year-old Nicklaus, who recorded his first ever hole-in-one at Augusta National during Wednesday’s par-three contest.

Both men split the fairway on a hole ranked the third hardest on the course last year, but 85-year-old Palmer – who has been struggling with a shoulder injury which kept him out of the par-three contest – hooked his shot a short distance towards the ninth fairway.

With that the trio retired to the clubhouse and allowed the tournament proper to begin, with conditions perfect for the early starters.