WASHINGTON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Will Nicholson, chairman of the U.S. Masters competition and rules committees, retired from both roles, tournament officials said on Wednesday.

    The 77-year-old will be replaced by Fred Ridley, who previously served as chairman of the cup and tee marker placement committee, said Augusta National Golf Club chairman Hootie Johnson in a statement from Los Angeles.

    "The Masters owes him a debt of gratitude for his many years of tireless and exemplary service."

    Nicholson has served on the tournament's rules committee since 1974. He became rules chairman in 1990 and was made chairman of the competition committees in 1992.

    The Masters, the first of the year's four major championships, takes place in Augusta, Georgia each April. Enditem