Maginnes: Thursday belongs to the great past champs

No tournament treats its previous winners with as much love and honor as the Masters. On Thursday, says John Maginnes, past champions from Arnold Palmer to Ray Floyd to Tom Watson delighted the patrons and reveled in their appreciation.

By John Maginnes, PGATOUR.com Contributor

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The score is a simple and arbitrary number for some of the competitors in the Masters. As the grand men of the game pass the competitive torch to their younger counterparts, they are honored for their contribution. The honor is to play in the greatest tournament in golf. The honor affords their many fans the chance to applaud their heroes -- perhaps for the final time.

The day started with Arnold Palmer taking his rightful place as the honorary starter. The ceremonial first tee shot was witnessed by thousands collectively choking back a tear. The four-time Masters champion smiled and greeted old friends on his way from the clubhouse to the first tee. The thousands who lined the first fairway showed their undying appreciation to the King with a standing ovation.

Augusta National honors its champions with greater endowment than any other tournament. The aging champions make their pilgrimage every year and occasionally push the sun back up into the sky -- if only for a moment. Ben Crenshaw made the cut here a year ago to the delight of the patrons and viewing audience. More than a decade after his fifth and final triumph, the greatest Master of them all, Jack Nicklaus, wowed his legions as he climbed the leader board one final time.

The tournament is as much about its tradition as it is about its champion, perhaps even more. The first two rounds of the Masters are about its past. On Thursday the past revisited the present once again. Raymond Floyd, playing in his 43rd Masters, showed that there was still life in his sticks. The 77 he posted certainly could have been better but a stumble over the last few holes elevated his scores.

Fuzzy Zoeller, the last man to win the Masters in his first attempt, brought out a retro orange PowerBuilt bag for his annual jaunt to Augusta. Zoeller whistled his way to a 74 in the opening round -- giving himself a wonderful chance to make the weekend field.

Tom Watson hit a wonderful putt from above the hole on the 15th that grazed the lip and settled inches from the hole. As the patrons politely applauded, Watson gestured for more. The fans did not disappoint. When the volume rose to an appropriate level, Tom waved and tipped his cap. Tom went on to shoot 75 with a smile on his face.

Whether it is Tom, Raymond, Fuzzy or any of the other incredible champions that this event has crowned, their presence is appreciated by one and all. On those occasions when they play well, we are reminded of the form each showed in his prime. We are reminded that they were once great champions.

When they play to their age we are not disappointed. When Gary Player or Seve Ballesteros plays more like us than like a Masters champion, we appreciate the effort. Furthermore, we appreciate their legacy and their grace in the face of time.

The weekend at Augusta National is about the present. The weekend is about adding to tradition. Whether it is Tiger, Phil or someone else donning the Green Jacket on Sunday afternoon, the lore will grow. One day they, too, will take their place on the first tee with a game tarnished by time but with a legacy to be admired. And they will be, just as those who came before are cheered today.

When that day comes their scores won't matter, either. When that day comes, they will receive the loudest ovations from the patrons on Thursday and Friday. Then they will make way for the champions of that day, just as the aging champions made way for them.