Former Masters champions and golf legends Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus have officially opened the 78th Masters with ceremonial tee shots at Augusta National.

Palmer, 84, celebrates 50 years since his last of four Masters titles this year and started off proceedings on a beautiful morning with a solid drive down the middle of the first fairway.

Player, 78, a three-time winner, dutifully stepped up next to outdrive his older friend before the 74-year-old six-time winner Nicklaus poked the ball just a yard further to take bragging rights. The tradition of honorary starters began in 1963.

Defending champion and world No.2 Adam Scott will play alongside reigning PGA champion Jason Dufner and 2013 US Amateur winner Matthew Fitzpatrick for the first two rounds, due off at 12:41am Friday (AEST).

Steven Bowditch got the Australian tilt underway at 10:18pm (AEST) and was followed by John Senden (10:29pm) with Matt Jones (1:25am), Oliver Goss (2:31am) and Jason Day (3:04am) and Marc Leishman (3:26am) to come.