Photos: Lee Elder returns to the Masters at Augusta National, this time as an honorary starter

The 2021 Masters is being played less than five months from the previous major held in November and the course is playing tougher than it did last time — at least in the early going

The 85th Masters started with two honorary tee shots and one former player who only had to raise his driver to make it memorable.

Lee Elder was invited to take part in the ceremonial start. The 86-year-old Elder was the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters in 1975. Augusta National announced in November he would be joining six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus and three-time champion Gary Player.

Lee Elder, 86, acknowledges applause as he arrives at the first tee on Thursday.

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Elder’s health wouldn’t allow him to take a swing. Instead, he raised his driver on a cool morning that was warmed by enormous applause from spectators that lined both sides of the tee box.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley said Elder has blazed a trail that inspired golf and future generations with a message that the game belongs to everyone.

Among those on the tee were Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, wearing their green jackets as past champions, and Cameron Champ, one of four players of Black heritage on the PGA Tour.

Honorary starter Gary Player, center, playfully kisses the hand of Bubba Watson before teeing off. At left, Jack Nicklaus greets Phil Mickelson.

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Honorary starters Lee Elder and Jack Nicklaus meet on the first tee before the first round of the Masters.

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The names of the honorary starters are posted prior to the start of Round 1.

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Gary Player doffs his cap as Jack Nicklaus applauds at the first tee.

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Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus hits his tee shot on the first hole at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Honorary starter and former Masters champion Gary Player of South Africa plays his tee shot on the first hole.

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Michael Thompson and Hudson Swafford walk to the first fairway after teeing off during the first round of the Masters.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts as his tee shot on the third hole veers to the right.

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Viktor Hovland of Norway hits an iron shot on the first hole Thursday during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

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Joaquin Niemann of Chile looks for a ball on the 10th hole during the first round of the Masters.

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Ian Woosnam of Wales plays a shot on the second hole during the first round of the Masters.

(Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)