Jack Nicklaus says what his relationship with Gary Player and Tom Watson is now like after being with them again at The Masters this year

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Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson have all gone down as golfing legends, with all three present to help kick-start The Masters this year.

Nicklaus thinks Rory McIlroy will win The Masters, with the Northern Irishman yet to taste glory at Augusta National.

McIlroy, a four-time major champion, went into round three sitting T3 in the leaderboard, two shots behind leader Justin Rose.

Nicklaus, Player and Watson all hit ceremonial drives off the first tee before the action got underway, having all won The Masters on multiple occasions.

Their fellow legend Fred Couples made Masters history in his opening round, although the 1992 champion went on to miss the cut.

Jack Nicklaus shares his relationship with Gary Player and Tom Watson at The Masters

Nicklaus has been keeping a close eye on the action so far this week, but he has also now shared insight into his relationship with his fellow icons Player and Watson.

Speaking on Under the Umbrellas, Nicklaus said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be able to start the golf tournament.

“I know that Arnold [Palmer] and Gary and I did it for a lot of years. Then after Arnold passed Tom Watson has joined the group.

READ MORE: The major Masters prediction Jack Nicklaus made about Rory McIlroy 10 years ago

“We had Lee Elder one year. It has been fun. We are going to do it again this year. My golf bag only consists of a driver.

“There are no other clubs in it, because I am not going to hit any other clubs! I know Gary will go to the practice range.

“I was kidding him last night. I said I assume you are going to work on your short game and your bunker play before you get to the first tee. [He says] ‘of course, I am going to putt something too!’

“Gary plays golf every day. He is going to be 90 years old. It’s unbelievable. [I asked] Gary, how many times have you shot your age?

“He said the last 2686 times I have played. That’s great. He is great. I love Gary’s company and enjoy the kidding and camaraderie we have had.

“Watson has been a great friend for a long time, we get along great. For the three of us to do that is a nice honour.”

How many Masters wins do Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson have?

A long list of other legends have been doing their best to make memories at Augusta this week, aiming to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nicklaus, Player and Watson.

There was no start for the injured Tiger Woods, a five-time Masters champion, but three-time winner Phil Mickelson was among the field.

READ MORE: Former Masters champion admits he is ‘saddened’ to have to withdraw from the tournament for the first time in 31 years

The LIV Golf star did, however, miss the cut after two rounds, along with two-time winners Jose Maria Olazabal and Bernhard Langer.

But another two-time winner in Scottie Scheffler is in contention, as he looks to move ahead of Watson and join Player in the all-time leaderboard.