Jack Nicklaus, left, points out the first fairway to Arnold Palmer during the ceremonial first tee shots before today's first round of the Masters in Augusta, Ga.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Two old rivals swatted ceremonial tee shots today to begin the Masters, where all the focus was on a four-time winner trying to rebuild his life.

Tiger Woods was playing for the first time since a Thanksgiving night car wreck led to revelations of numerous extramarital affairs.

Officials at Augusta National insisted that no one player — not even the world's best embroiled in scandal — would overshadow their tournament. For a few moments, at least, that was the case as Jack Nicklaus joined Arnold Palmer at the first tee.

"He dominated the Masters like no one before or since," said club chairman Billy Payne. "Please join me in welcoming back, Mr. Jack Nicklaus."

"Keep your eye on the ball," someone cracked as the Golden Bear went through a couple of practice swings.

The 70-year-old Nicklaus, a record six-time champion who last played at the Masters in 2005, agreed to return this year to hit the opening shots with Palmer. They both knocked it down the right side, just off the fairway. Two security guards hustled out to pick up the balls.

"I hit a rookie tee shot," Nicklaus said with a smile. "I didn't put my contacts in, so I had no idea where it went."

Now, time to begin the tournament for real.

Nathan Green, Heath Slocum and Louis Oosthuizen followed in the first group. St. Jude Golf Club member Nathan Smith was slated to tee off at 8:45 p.m.

Woods was scheduled to tee off with K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar in the next-to-last threesome at 1:42 p.m.

That will begin what figures to be one of the most scrutinized opening rounds in golf history — not a day for winning the tournament, but surely a chance for Woods to show he's still an intimidating presence on the course, if not the same man off it.

"The fact that I haven't really played at all, that's a little bit concerning," Woods said early in the week. "I'm hoping I get my feel back quickly, my feel for the game, my feel for shots, feel more how my body is reacting and what my distances are going to be. I hope I get that back, you know, relatively quickly."