'I haven't killed anybody yet': Jack Nicklaus 'came close' with ceremonial shot at Masters

Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times on Apr 9, 2026

Published in Golf

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Jack Nicklaus had a warning for all the fans who lined the fairway to watch his ceremonial tee shot Thursday at the Masters.

"Oh, boy, watch out," the 86-year-old golf legend said. "And I don't mean that facetiously."

Nicklaus' line prompted heavy laughter from the gallery at Augusta National, but the 18-time major championship winner wasn't kidding. He proceeded to hook his shot low and to the left, a few feet over the heads of some onlookers.

After laughing it off at the tee, Nicklaus explained to reporters why he predicted his shot might be a little wild.

"I was a little worried," he said. "I had carpal tunnel surgery about five, six weeks ago, and I was worried about being able to hold onto the golf club and [not] hurt somebody. That was my issue today.

"I'm fortunate that I got it over somebody's head. I didn't hit it very well, but I got it over their heads and didn't hurt anybody."

Nicklaus won a record six Masters between 1963 and 1986. To mark the 40th anniversary of his final championship, Nicklaus brought his caddie back Thursday from the 1986 win: his son, Jackie.

An honorary Masters starter since 2010, Nicklaus was again joined by fellow golf legends Gary Player — who is 90 and has been a ceremonial starter since 2012 — and Tom Watson — who is 76 and joined the group in 2022.

Nicklaus said he has no plans to end the tradition anytime soon, even after this year's errant shot.

"As long as I can still hit the golf ball, I'll do it," Nicklaus said, adding that he's played only twice since the start of 2025. "You know, I don't really play golf anymore. But it's such a nice ceremony, and it's a real honor to be invited. I hope to be able to do it as long as I can not kill anybody."

He added, in an interview with CBS Sports' Amanda Balionis: "I haven't killed anybody yet. I came close today."