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Six-times champion Jack Nicklaus will join four-times winner Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for next year's Masters.

Palmer, 79, has performed the ceremonial role on his own since 2007 at the opening major of the season at Augusta National.

"We are delighted and fortunate to have such a great ambassador and icon of our sport take part in this tradition," Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said in a statement.

"He has inspired generations of golfers and having Jack join Arnold on the first tee next April will be a special thrill for his many loyal fans around the world."

The 2010 Masters will take place from April 8 to 11.

Nicklaus, who made his 45th and final competitive start at Augusta National in 2005, agreed to join Palmer in hitting the ceremonial first shot after receiving the support of his long-time friend.

"I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacy at the Masters and I did not, in any way, want to infringe on the opportunity for Arnold to have and enjoy this Masters tradition for himself," Nicklaus, 69, said.

"He is so deserving of this honour, and thus I felt it was his time, not mine."

Nicklaus added that, because Palmer had "enthusiastically supported the invitation, it became an easy decision for me."

The first honorary starters at Augusta National were Jock Hutchinson and Fred McLeod in 1963, and they continued in the role until 1973 and 1976 respectively.

There was then a four-year break without a starter until Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson took over in 1981. Three-times champion Sam Snead joined the duo in 1984.

Sarazen served as an honorary starter until 1999, Nelson until 2001 and Snead until 2002.

After another four-year break without a starter, Palmer struck the ceremonial tee shot for the first time in 2007.

Reuters