AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson continued the Masters tradition that began in 1960 as “honorary starters” early Thursday morning, all hitting tee shots off the first hole to begin the tournament. 

Afterward, the three took some verbal jabs at LIV Golf. 

Nicklaus offered a sharp-tongued dismissive answer when asked about Phil Mickelson’s form at age 54. 

Jack Nicklaus celebrates during his honorary tee shot at The Masters on April 10, 2025. REUTERS

Form left: Honorary Starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson stand with their caddies as they pose on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025. AP

“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at,” the six-time Masters champion said. “I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. You never see him anymore. 

“Phil has been competitive in an odd event here and there but not really in the last few years.” 

Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner, opened the tournament with a 3-over-par 75 Thursday. 

Phil Mickelson reacts after missing a putt on the sixth hole during the first round of The Masters on April 10, 2025. REUTERS

Phil Mickelson hits a shot out of a bunker on the second hole during the first round of The Masters on April 10, 2025. Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

“They made their choice to play on their own tour, and that’s where they are right now,” Player said. “I don’t see a real working mechanism for the two tours [PGA Tour and LIV] to get back together.” 

Two-time champion Bernhard Langer, at age 67 and playing in his 41st and final Masters, shot a 2-over-par 73. 

“Overall, it was a pretty good round for a 67-year-old to get around here at 2-over with the clubs I’m hitting into, sometimes 3-woods into par-4s and 2 hybrids and 3 hybrids,” Langer said. “If I want to make the cut, I’ve got to do much better tomorrow, or some better.” 

By 11 shots, the worst round of the day came from Nick Dunlap, already a two-time PGA Tour winner at the age of 21.

He shot an 18-over 90 in the first round. 

Incredibly, Dunlap’s score — 43 on the front nine and 47 on the back — wasn’t the highest in Masters history.

Nick Dunlap struggled through a brutal first round of the Masters. Getty Images

That belongs to Charles Kunkle Jr., who shot a final-round 95 in 1956.

Billy Casper shot a 105 at the 2005 Masters at age 70, but didn’t sign his scorecard so the round wasn’t official. 

Dunlap, who missed the cut in his Masters debut last year (77-72), entered this week struggling, having missed his past three cuts and shooting a pair of 80s, one at Bay Hill and another at the Players. 

Cam Smith turned some heads in his Wednesday practice round, playing in a blue blazer. 

“Funny story,” he said Thursday. “I met the Grayson [clothing company] guy at teams week this week and we had a couple of beers — maybe even a couple too many beers — and we got to talking about fashion. He said, ‘It would be great if you wore a blazer at the Masters. I think it’s the place to do it.’ 

“And I agreed to it. I’m a man of my word, so I did it. It was a bit chilly, so it kind of worked out. I wouldn’t say I’m a fashion guru by any standard, but I felt good in it.” 

Fellow Aussie Jason Day, who’s drawn a lot of attention for wearing Malbon Golf’s garish wear, said he thought Smith “looked great.” 

“If he rocks it, then I’m happy for him. I could see myself playing in something like that.”