Palmer adjusts to new life of not playing in the Masters

ORLANDO, Fla. – Arnold Palmer is going to the Masters without his golf clubs.

“I’m not going to play in anything at Augusta this year,” Palmer said Wednesday. “I’m going to say hello to my friends and do a couple functions that I would like to do, and then come back home.”

Palmer played in his 50th consecutive Masters last year and said he would no longer compete in the major championship he helped put on the map with charisma and four green jackets.

But as the Masters approaches, Palmer realizes he will have to adjust to being at Augusta National without having a spot in the field.

That means no practice rounds, no Par 3 Tournament. Palmer said he might consider becoming an honorary starter, but it won’t be this year.

Instead, he’ll attend the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night and chairman Hootie Johnson’s buffet on Wednesday, and spend time in between chatting with his legion of friends and fans.