Big Three get 78th Masters under way

Jack Nicklaus was able to claim bragging rights after joining Gary Player and Arnold Palmer in getting the 78th Masters Tournament under way .

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 six-time champion Nicklaus, 74, who produced the longest drive by around two feet from 78-year-old fitness fanatic Player, with both men splitting the fairway on a hole ranked the second hardest on the course last year.

Palmer, who will undergo back surgery after the Masters, had also found the fairway with his drive, although the 84-year-old's effort was comfortably the shortest of the three.

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