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Greatness
Measured in Gold |
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By
Greg Smith
Manager of Media Relations
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Jack
Nicklaus |
By the most
objective measure of all – the record – Jack Nicklaus
is the greatest player who ever lived.
Seventy-three PGA TOUR victories, 18 major championship wins,
10 Champions Tour titles. An undefeated Walker Cup career, six
Ryder Cup appearances, six PGA Player of the Year honors and
three stints as a Presidents Cup captain. The numbers speak
for themselves.
In sheer numbers, his career was awesome. But Nicklaus’
legacy will be forever be defined by so much more than numbers
alone.
Nicklaus was born January 21, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio. He learned
the game under the teachings of Jack Grout while growing up
at Scioto Country Club. As an amateur, it was clear Nicklaus
was a prodigy.
At an early age, Nicklaus grew to idolize Bobby Jones. He used
Jones’ career numbers as a benchmark for his own success.
His first win came at the ripe age of 16 when he won the 1956
Ohio State Open. Nicklaus would earn further accolades in winning
both the 1959 and 1961 U.S. Amateur, and finishing tied for
second at the 1960 U.S. Open.
Nicklaus turned pro in 1962 and forever changed the game of
golf. His mighty upright swing turned him into the longest controlled
driver in the game’s history, as well as the most devastating
long-iron player to ever set foot on the golf course.
This accuracy combined with his brute strength allowed him to
escape from high grass with more power and control than his
rivals. Along with his consistent putting touch, Nicklaus’
game was suited perfectly for the tight conditions and fast
greens that characterize major championships. By 1967, he had
won seven of them. From 1970 to 1975, a leaner and more polished
Nicklaus added seven more major titles.
On the PGA TOUR, Nicklaus led the money list eight times. He
was consistently dominant, finishing in the top 10 in 243 of
the 357 official events he played in, an amazing rate of 68
percent.
Nicklaus’ greatest triumph was at the 1986 Masters where
he showed his ability to concentrate and gather himself at the
most critical of moments. At the age of 46 Nicklaus put together
a final-round 65 that included a 30 on the back nine to win
by one. His determination will be forever remembered as one
of the greatest performances the game has ever seen.
While the wins set Nicklaus apart from the competition, it was
his role of gracious loser that made him the truest champion.
Nicklaus finished second in 19 majors, but was always the first
to praise the winner.
“I never thought anyone would put Hogan in the shadows,
but he did,” Gene Sarazen said. “Jack Nicklaus is
the greatest competitor of them all.”
Win or lose, Jack Nicklaus was the greatest. |
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