If there is any player in the history of the modern game – someone who could be considered, without argument, the greatest – that player is undoubtedly Jack Nicklaus. Now 67, and two years after retiring from professional golf, the Golden Beer can look back on one of the most remarkable careers in sport. He won 18 Grand Slams and 70 US PGA Tour tournaments – reigning for most of the ‘60s, ‘70s and even the ‘80s.
Nicklaus chose the British Open – which he won three times – for his farewell appearance as an active player, because, as he said, the championship had a special significance and had been an important part of his sporting career. “I’m a sentimental old fool, but I still believe I’m competitive. I hope I don’t let people down,” he said during the presentation of his design company’s golf course projects in Murcia.
Nicklaus won at St Andrews in 1979 and 1978. In what was the last event of his prolific career, his son Steve was his caddie – which provided the championship with an even more sentimental touch. He was unable to hold back the tears as he completed his final British Open round.
Nicklaus’s golf career is unrivalled. He began playing the game as a young boy, and won his first tournament, the Ohio Open, when he was still 16. His next big win was the US Amateur Championship, in 1959. Two years later he regained that title and also won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship.
From 1959 to 1961 – when he joined the professional ranks – he won every tournament he teed up in except for one.
In 1962, Nicklaus won the US Open after beating compatriot Arnold Palmer, another golfing legend. Throughout his long and successful professional career he tallied an amazing record: including six US Masters (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986); five US PGA Championships (1963, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1980); four US Opens (1962, 1967, 1972 and 1980); three British Opens (1966, 1970 and 1978); and one World Matchplay (1970). He was named Player of the Year five times (1967, 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976), and in 1988 was honoured as best golfer of the 20th century.
The Golden Bear joined the US Seniors Tour in 1990 and, in that category, went on to win two US Opens (1991 and 1993) and two US PGAs (1991 and 1996).
He has also forged a career as one the world’s most prestigious golf course designers through his Golden Bear International company. In 1993 he received an award as Golf Course Designer of the Year.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, on 21 January 1940, he shuttles between homes in North Palm Beach (Florida) and Carefree (Arizona); he is married to Barbara and has five children, Jack II, Steve, Nancy, Gary and Michael.
Tiger Woods, another “extraterrestrial” figure, is the only current player with a realistic chance of equalling Nicklaus’s record. The Tiger and the Bear: two fine players who have re-written, and continue to re-write, the history books.
