AUGUSTA, Ga

Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller, two of the most beloved Masters Champions of all time, bid a tear-filled goodbye as active participants at the Tournament Friday after 52- and 31 years respectively.

Player is a three-time winner and Zoeller won the 1979 Masters in his first try.

"I don’t know if you should look at what I have meant to the Masters, you should look at what the Masters has meant to me," said Player, who wiped tears from his eyes afterward.

Player and Zoeller both received a large ovation coming up the 18th fairway, Player knelt when he arrived at the putting surface to show his appreciation.

After holing out his final putt, Player was greeted behind the green by Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne along with defending champion Trevor Immelman, who grew up in South Africa idolizing the Black Knight and Rory Sabbatini.

"What an amazing accomplishment," Sabbatini said. "I had to wipe away a few tears."

Player said his last day as a Masters player was made easier by the standing ovations he received on every hole.

"It’s very touching to have such great support on every hole," said Player. "I leave with a sadness, but I leave with great joy."

"I’ve always said if there is a golf course in heaven. It would be like this. A man is never taller than when he is on his knees. Today I am on my knees for this great gift."

In his 52-year-Masters career, a record for number of Tournaments played, he completed 165 rounds. He had six top three finishes with victories in 1961, the first ever by an international player, 1974 and 1978.

Zoeller called the walk up 18 one of the greatest thrills of his life.

"Will I miss it? Sure I will, but it’s time to go," Zoeller said, with his daughter, Gretchen as his caddy, plus family and friends on hand to watch his final round.

"I’ve already told Arnold (Palmer) that I’d meet him under the umbrellas on the lawn next year, and we can talk about old times."

Gretchen Zoeller said she was thrilled to see the Patrons reactions.

"When you see the love for a person you love so much, it just buckles you," she said.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington saw a potential birdie on the par-5 15th hole turn into a par, when he was penalized one shot because his ball moved after he had addressed it.

After setting up to putt, a gust of wind caused the ball to move twice. Harrington backed off the putt and called for rules professional David Price, who explained the one-shot penalty. Harrington finished his round with a one-over-par 73 and stood two-under-par for the tournament and tied for 19th place.

After his opening round 66 Thursday, Dallas’ Hunter Mahan said his phone quickly filled with messages of support.

"I haven’t even checked e-mail yet, but I had a whole bunch of texts," said Mahan. "I hope I can give them more reason to text this weekend."

He scored 75 in the second round, but was still tied for 10th place heading into the weekend.

McIlroy Deemed Not In Violation

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has lived to play another day following a question raised about a possible violation of the Rules of Golf during the second round of the Masters.

There was a question as to whether or not McIlroy tested the sand between his third and fourth shots from the greenside bunker.

The Rules of Golf (13-4) prohibit a player from testing the condition of a hazard before playing a stroke. The decisions interpreting the Rule state that kicking the ground in the hazard constitutes testing the condition.

At the request of the Committee, McIlroy returned to Augusta National Golf Club at approximately 8:40 p.m., met with the Committee, and reviewed the CBS tape. Based on the tape and McIlroy’s statement of what took place after he played the shot, it was determined that no violation of the Rules had occurred, Competition Committee Chairman Fred S. Ridley said.

McIlroy’s 36-hole total of 145 made the 36-hole cut on the number and the Irishman will play 72 holes in his first Masters.