Last shot at The Masters for Nelson.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

FORT LAUDERDALE _ Byron Nelson still relishes that drive down Magnolia Lane and his return to Augusta National Golf Club for the start of Masters week each spring, but he dreads the start of the tournament.

He tosses and turns Wednesday night.

His insides churn when Thursday morning dawns.

Nelson will hit just one shot this week, a ceremonial first tee shot to open the tournament, but the anticipation makes him as nervous as any player in the field. Though he won the 1937 and `42 Masters and 50 other PGA Tour events, he still gets first-tee jitters.

At 89, Nelson says he has had enough. That's why he told Augusta National membership that this will be the last year he opens the tournament with a tee shot. He'll make his final pass at the first tee early Thursday morning.

"I don't even play golf anymore," Nelson said in a telephone interview from his home in Roanoke, Texas. "I can't even bend down and put the ball on the tee."

Nelson said he has hit exactly eight balls this year in preparation for his single Masters shot. While his mind remains sharp, his body's not keeping up. He had hip replacement in 1990, and his hands hurt now.