Arguably the greatest player in history, Jack Nicklaus certainly has left an indelible mark on the Open Championship.
Three of the Golden Bear’s record 18 major titles were won on two of Scotland’s greatest golf courses, including the Home of Golf itself, St Andrews, where he succeeded twice.
Nicklaus’ consistency was simply remarkable. He was a runner-up at the Open a record seven times, had 11 straight top-five finishes from 1970 through 1980 and boasts a record 18 top-10 placings.
Nicklaus won his first Claret Jug in 1966 at Muirfield by one stroke from Doug Sanders and Dave Thomas, his win completing the first of three career Grand Slams.Four years on, Nicklaus beat Sanders again in an 18-hole playoff at St Andrews, after his rival agonisingly missed a 3-foot putt to win on the 72nd hole.
Nicklaus returned to the Home of Golf to win again in 1978, 12 months on from his most famous near-miss at the Open.In 1977, Nicklaus and Tom Watson played spellbinding golf on an absorbing final day at Turnberry, thrilling fans in a contest that subsequently became known as the Duel in the Sun.
Watson eventually won under clear blue skies, but the quality of golf from both players and the drama that played out on Scotland’s west coast has gone down in Open folklore.
Nicklaus was on the wrong side of the result, but a quick look at his career record shows that was a rarity.Fittingly, his final act at the Open was a successful birdie putt on the 18th green of the Old Course at St Andrews, converted to enormous applause from an adoring gallery.
To view Jack Nicklaus’ complete record at the Open, click HERE.
Follow The R&A on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The R&A