Palmer Finally Surrenders

Arnold Palmer, 72, said he will play his last round at the Masters today. Palmer, a four-time champion, shot an 89 in the first round Thursday in his 48th consecutive Masters.

Palmer last made the cut at the Masters in 1984, when he tied for 36th.

“Tomorrow will be it,” Palmer said. “That’s it. I don’t want to get a letter.”

Palmer was referring to the letters sent to Billy Casper, Doug Ford and Gay Brewer by Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson, advising them their playing days at the Masters had ended.

Palmer last played the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and played his last British Open in 1995 at St. Andrews. He also played his last PGA Championship in 1994 at Southern Hills.

Palmer, who was on the edge of the first green in two and then four-putted, realized his game is no longer competitive.

Palmer said he will limit his playing schedule to possible Senior PGA Tour events and a selected few others.

Palmer also threw his support to putting a limit on the technology of golf balls.

“We need to really think about slowing the golf ball down,” he said. “I don’t think you can stop much technology on golf clubs.”

Palmer said he would enjoy it if the players in the Masters used a golf ball like the one he used when he won in 1958.

Said Palmer: “Then see what would happen, because the technology that has been put into the golf ball is fantastic.”

*

Tiger Woods was asked if he could imagine himself playing the Masters at Palmer’s age of 72.

Said Woods: “I hope I’m on this side of the grass at 72.”

*

Charles Howell shot a two-over 74, but may have made more of a splash with his stylish slacks--white with a green stripe. What did he look like? All Howell needed was a French horn.

“I love these pants,” Howell said. “These pants fit my personality and I can take the grief for it.”

*

Sam Snead, 89, participating in his 62nd consecutive Masters, hit the first ball in the usual ceremony, but it didn’t go quite where he aimed. The ball traveled about 100 yards and to the right, where it struck a spectator in the face and broke his glasses.

The fan, who was not identified, was treated for a cut on his nose.

*

Scott Hoch was not happy, which isn’t all that unusual. Hoch, who bogeyed the last two holes and shot 76, said his problems had nothing to do with the changes to the golf course.

“It was the mud on the ball,” Hoch said. “It cost me at least five shots.”

Hoch also had another complaint: “I don’t know why they played the tees all the way back [and] into the wind.”

*

Former winners Tommie Aaron, 65, and Charles Coody, 64, were the first group off the tee, right after honorary starter Snead hit the first ball and the first spectator. Aaron had a 79 and Coody an 82 and both had adventurous rounds.

Aaron bogeyed seven of the first nine holes, then double bogeyed the 10th, but he played the last seven holes in two under. Coody bogeyed five of the last six.

*

Craig Perks, had one of those days in his debut at the Masters--a nine-over 81. Perks, who had a dramatic victory at the Players Championship, said it was a long day.

“It got worse and worse,” Perks said. “It’s Augusta. At this level, you can’t play poorly. I’ll forget it. I’ll learn from it.”

*

Hal Sutton withdrew because of a pulled muscle on his right side.