Player and Zoeller bow out gratefully

A legend departed from the Masters on Friday. So did a legendary entertainer.

Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller drew standing ovations as they walked up the 18th fairway for the final time in their playing careers.

“The greatest thrill I’ve ever had in my life,” Zoeller said of the outpouring.

Player drew raucous cheers at every green Thursday and Friday.

“The greatest word that exists in any dictionary is love,” Player said. “And I received it. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.”

No man has competed in more Masters tournaments than Player’s 52. The three-time champion exits with memories of greeting President Eisenhower, dueling Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer and welcoming Lee Elder, the first African American to compete here.

“I’d like to think I’ve played with tenacity,” said Player, who shot 78-83. “I’ve tried to behave well. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

Warm and fuzzy

Zoeller, the Indiana native with the tobacco-infused voice, served as a model for how players should treat members of the gallery.

“I like to see people smile,” he said after shooting 79-76. “I’m miserable enough having to chase my ugly golf shots. You see them smile and maybe the next day they have two or three more people with them.”

Zoeller’s 31-year Masters legacy, of course, includes more than his 1979 victory as a first-time competitor. Zoeller told the famously insensitive joke in 1997 about Tiger Woods requesting “fried chicken . . . or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve” at the champions dinner.

“Life is not a bowl full of cherries,” Zoeller said. “There’s good and bad stuff. I just hope everybody has had fun because I’ve enjoyed my ride.”

He’s the tour’s Forrest Gump

Luke Donald played with Jack Nicklaus during Nicklaus’ final round at St. Andrews in 2005. And he accompanied Player on Friday.

“I’m not sure why I keep getting picked,” he said. “Maybe I’m the nice guy.”

Donald enjoyed the experience even though he had to grind out a par on 18 to ensure he would make the cut. He did at even par with one stroke to spare.

“It was pretty special to see all the people cheering Gary on,” he said. “I’m wondering who’s next. [Tom] Watson, maybe?”

Ratings update

Early ratings from ESPN’s first-round coverage indicate interest is high. According to early national ratings, the 3 1/2 -hour live telecast that began at 1 p.m. PDT Thursday drew a 2.8 rating, which was up 27% over last year in ratings and 38% in viewers.

Where ESPN saw big jumps in ratings was in its live, streaming coverage on ESPN360.com. Those ratings more than tripled -- a 208% increase in total hours viewed as well as a 28% increase in total streams, and an average time spent by people streaming their video to 57 minutes, more than double from last year.

-- Diane Pucin