The Masters begins, with ceremonial hits by Nicklaus, Player and Watson

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — After a two-and-a-half-hour delay due to rain and with wind still blowing under cloudy skies, the Masters got underway Thursday, marking the first time since July, at the British Open, where the best golfers in the world come together on the same course and tournament.

Jack Nicklaus, six-time champion, was accompanied by his wife Barbara to hit the ceremonial tee shot, before thousands of spectators gathered around the first tee. Gary Player, three-time champion, as well as Tom Watson, who was crowned twice, also took part.

“It’s not so easy to get the ball off the tee now, is it?” Player asked the others, before placing his shot into the fairway.

“Look left and right,” Nicklaus joked, before also depositing the ball right in the center of the good field.

Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp were the first competitors to hit their tee shot. Top golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the league funded by Saudi Arabia, were divided into different groups throughout the day.

Those leaving later included Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Justin Johnson. But they would hardly finish their route before sunset, which would imply the need for them to return on Friday to finish their initial rounds.

It is the sixth consecutive year that weather conditions have caused delays in at least part of the Masters.