Ben Crenshaw will mark his 44th and last consecutive appearance in the Masters by standing in for Arnold Palmer in the traditional par-three tournament at Augusta National . Palmer is unable to play alongside Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus in the curtain-raising event on Wednesday afternoon as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder , although the 85-year-old will still act as honorary starter on Thursday . Billy Payne , chairman of Augusta National , said in a statement : 'We were sad to learn that Arnold will not participate in this year 's Par 3 Contest , but his health is most important . Ben Crenshaw will join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in the par-three competition at the Masters . '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 . 'We are pleased to announce that Ben Crenshaw has accepted our invitation to join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for this year , which we felt was a fitting way to acknowledge the end of Ben 's illustrious 44 years of competition at the Masters . We look forward to Arnold 's return to the Par 3 Contest next year . ' The winner of the par three contest has never gone on to win the tournament proper in the same year . Arnold Palmer ( right ) is unable to play because of a shoulder problem but will be an honorary starter .
Ben Crenshaw will replace Arnold Palmer for the par-three contest . Palmer is recovering from dislocated shoulder but will be honorary starter . Crenshaw joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus for the event opener .