Chris O'Meara, AP Photo Former Masters champion Arnold Palmer wipes away a tear as he speaks with reporters after hitting the ceremonial first tee shot prior to the first round of the 2007 Masters golf tournament this morning.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Feeling more emotional than even he imagined, Arnold Palmer began the 71st Masters at 7:45 this morning when he hit the first tee shot in his new role as honorary starter.

After being introduced by Masters chairman Billy Payne -- "Back on the first tee, where he belongs," Payne said -- Palmer hit a solid tee shot into the left rough, delighting the thousands of spectators who came to watch the four-time Masters champion.

"I got touched a little more than I thought I would," Palmer said.

The Masters has not had an honorary starter since Sam Snead died in 2002.

Palmer said he relished his role as honorary starter because it helps to restore a Masters tradition once performed by the late Gene Sarazen, with whom he was paired in his first Masters in 1955.

"I think we're back to where it was, where it should be," Palmer said.