Arnie's Army marched at Augusta National Golf Club again this morning.

With thousands of fans ringing the first tee, Arnold Palmer started the 71st Masters Tournament with the ceremonial tee shot.

Palmer, a four-time Masters winner, accepted the invitation of Augusta National and Masters Chairman Billy Payne to become the honorary starter.

He didn't disappoint.

With a familiar swing, Palmer launched his tee shot with a slight draw. The patrons, many who had been in line since before dawn to get a good spot, roared their approval.

"It's a great thrill for me and an honor," Palmer said afterwards. "I didn't want to top it. I actually hit it pretty good."

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.