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Posted March 4, 2015, 2:23 pm
BY
Scott Michaux
|
Staff Writer

Palmer plans to return as honorary starter

  • Article Photos
    Palmer plans to return as honorary starter
    Photos description
    Arnold Palmer hits his ceremonial drive on the first tee during the afirst round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Ga., on Thursday, April 10, 2014.

DORAL, Fla. — Despite a dislocated shoulder that has slowed his gait and prevented him from playing golf, Arnold Palmer has no intention of missing his appointed tee time at Augusta National Golf Club next month.

Slideshow: Arnold Palmer at the Masters

“I’m looking forward to being out on that tee even if I fan it,” the 85-year-old Palmer said at Trump Doral on Wednesday, where he attended a ribbon-cutting with Donald Trump for a resort villa named in his honor.

Wearing a seersucker jacket and pink tie, Palmer shuffled more slowly and spoke more haltingly than when he last came to Augusta for the 2014 Masters Tournament. He suffered a dislocated shoulder in a fall in December before the Father-Son Challenge.

“I was going to make a speech at the Father-Son and I tripped on a carpet and did a 360,” he said.

Slideshow: Honorary Starters at the Masters

But the four-time Masters winner enthusiastically put to rest any notion that he might not be in Augusta on the morning of April 9 to join “Big Three” partners Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as honorary starters. He’ll participate – ready or not.

“Oh yeah, I plan on it,” Palmer said. “I haven’t (been practicing). I’m not allowed to swing yet. ... I will whatever.”

Palmer won the Masters in 1958, ’60, ’62 and ’64 and played in 50 Masters from 1955-2004. He accepted the role as honorary starter in 2007, later joined by Nicklaus (2010) and Player (2012).

Slideshow: Honorary Starters

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