Arnold Palmer will tee off Thursday morning as the honorary starter for the 71st Masters Tournament.

"Arnold Palmer has accepted our invitation to become our honorary starter and will start the 2007 Masters by hitting the first tee shot on Thursday morning," Augusta National and Masters Chairman Billy Payne announced Tuesday.

Palmer, 77, confirmed his decision to take on the ceremonial role in an afternoon press conference.

"I'd much rather be playing. It's a pleasure for me to be here," Palmer said. "I'll look forward to doing it."

The four-time Masters champion last played as a competitor in the 2004 tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. That year marked his 50th appearance in the Masters.

"I think the time has come. My competitive golf is done," he said. "I have no intentions of playing competitively on the tour. I might play some friendly competitions."

Honorary starters have been part of the Masters tradition since 1963 when Jock Hutchinson and Fred McLeod started it. The tee shot on the first hole signaled that golf's first major of the year was under way.

The tradition gained popularity in the early 1980s when Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead became regular starters. All three men are dead, and Snead was the last to perform the role in 2002.