Big Three strike ceremonial tee shots to begin the Masters; all eyes on McIlroy and Woods

Arnold Palmer, right, talks to Arnold Palmer after hitting on the first tee for the honorary tee off before the first round of the Masters golf tournament Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

Arnold Palmer hits on the first tee for the honorary tee off before the first round of the Masters golf tournament Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – 8:10 a.m.

Three of the golf's greatest players delivered ceremonial tee shots to open the Masters on Thursday.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer thrilled the patrons who crowded around the first tee shortly after sunrise. They even drew some of the players who'll be competing for real, including defending champion Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Keegan Bradley.

"Don't fan it," Palmer jokingly told himself before hitting his shot.

"I don't think he's kidding," Nicklaus added. "He said exactly the same thing to me."

Player said he appreciated the players who came out to watch him hit.

"It shows they have respect for the game," he said.

Not long after the Big Three left the tee, the tournament began for real. Charley Hoffman and Brian Harman were the first group to hit the course.