Golf-Palmer to skip Masters Par-3 contest with shoulder injury

By Mark Lamport-Stokes AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 6 (Reuters) - Arnold Palmer will be a notable absentee from the annual Par-3 event held on the eve of the Masters due to a shoulder injury, Augusta National Golf Club said on Monday. The four-times Masters winner, however, still intends to hit the ceremonial opening tee shot alongside long-time friends and rivals Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player before Thursday's first round at Augusta National. "We were sad to learn that Arnold will not participate in this year's Par-3 contest, but his health is most important," Masters tournament chairman Billy Payne said in a statement. "We are very excited to welcome him to the tee Thursday as an honorary starter, where we will once again honour his extraordinary contributions to the Masters tournament and the game of golf." Palmer, 85, dislocated his shoulder when he fell during the Father-Son Challenge tournament in December and his place alongside Nicklaus and Player for the Par-3 competition will be taken by twice Masters champion Ben Crenshaw.

Continue reading...