Augusta (US), April 10 (IANS): Golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player reunited here with each hitting a drive off the first tee to declare open the 79th Masters Tournament.

Palmer, 85, Player, 79, and Nicklaus, 75, have together grabbed a total of 13 Masters titles. Playing from 1960 to 1966, the big three combined to win seven straight Masters, reports Xinhua.

"We do the best we can with what we've got," Nicklaus on Thursday said of himself and his fellow Honorary Starters.

"Nobody enjoys the alternative, so we go out and do the best we can."

The tradition of having golfers kick off the Tournament began in 1963 with Scots Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod in the role and is "a fun and wonderful way to start the Masters every year", said Billy Payne, chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club.

"The 2015 Masters is officially under way and have fun," Payne told the patrons after the ceremonial tee shots.