Content provided courtesy of Rolex, an International Partner of the Masters Tournament since 1999
Former Masters winners Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods spoke with Rolex about their experiences at Augusta National and their longstanding relationships with the Swiss watch manufacturer – Nicklaus since 1967 and Woods since 2012. Nicklaus, a six-time winner of the green jacket, will be an honorary starter again at this week’s 87th Masters before Woods, a five-time Masters champion, tees off Thursday in his quest to narrow the gap with Nicklaus in career major titles. Here are portions of those conversations:
Rolex: What are your overall thoughts about Rolex’s longstanding support of golf? Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with Rolex, and being part of the Rolex family?
Nicklaus: I officially became a Rolex Testimonee in 1967, and I have proudly represented and worn Rolex watches for over 50 years now. Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and I were at a cocktail party in Tokyo when Rolex kindly gave us each our first watch. Gary suggested that I choose the 18-carat gold Rolex 1803 Day-Date, which I did. I have been fortunate enough to have several Rolex watches in my collection. I was presented with one when I won The Tradition in 1995 and 1996, which was very special. Over the years, I have had a wonderful relationship with Rolex. They have been very kind to me and have supported me with wherever I have gone in my career or when I have asked for support. Rolex is an incredible company to be involved with. It is not only such a prestigious brand but its support for the game of golf is unique. It is amazing that Rolex has supported all of the major championships and so many incredible players. Its support spans not only golf but other sports like tennis, too. Rolex’s support has been vital to both of these sports and all the respective Rolex Testimonees.
Rolex: You have won the Masters Tournament on a record six occasions, with the first 60 years ago back, in 1963. Can you describe how special the feeling was of putting on the iconic green jacket for the very first time?
Nicklaus: When I first won the Masters, I was only 23 years old. Back then, the cherished prize was the green jacket. The motivation for wanting to win was certainly not money. When I won, it was an unusual situation because the weather conditions were questionable, with rain pouring down. Mike Souchak led the tournament after two rounds, and everyone was almost certain that the rounds would have to be abandoned on the Saturday. When I arrived at the 18th green, the weather had improved slightly. My caddie and I looked at each other, and I questioned how many golfers were under par. His reply was: “Only you.” All of a sudden, I was leading the golf tournament, and I managed to cling onto my lead through the last day. It had always been a dream of mine to win the Masters Tournament. Bobby Jones, who founded and designed the Augusta National Golf Club, and co-founded the Masters Tournament, was someone I admired. The thought that went into creating such a tournament was unbelievable. The green jacket is a symbol of the tradition and prestige, and for that reason, I love it. Every year that I attend, I am always blown away by the magnificence of it. It has and will never change.
Rolex: Fellow Rolex Testimonees have enjoyed incredible success at the Masters in recent years, with Tiger Woods winning in 2019, Hideki Matsuyama in 2021, and Scottie Scheffler in 2022 – an incredible talent across three decades of generations. What would you say to them?
Nicklaus: The Masters Tournament is special, and it is incredible to achieve success at an event of such prestige. In 2019, it was an iconic moment for Tiger Woods to claim his 15th major win, when he finished with a 2-under-par 70 to win on 13-under. In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama being the first Asian and first Japanese player to win the Masters was an amazing achievement as well. When Scottie Scheffler won in 2021, he hit some fantastic recovery shots that enabled him to win. He is a brilliant young and talented player who has developed into one of the leading players within the game of golf.
Rolex: Fellow Rolex Testimonee Scottie Scheffler had an exceptional 2022 season, including winning the Masters. What advice would you give to him as defending champion?
Nicklaus: I would advise him to go to the event with the aim of achieving the same result! It is important to continue the preparation that he has been doing and to stick to the things that allowed him to win in 2022. The conditions of the golf courses and the weather may of course not be the same, making it hard to repeat the exact same things, but the key is to trust and be confident in your abilities. At Augusta, the greens are sometimes very quick and sometimes much slower – you just don’t know. That’s what makes the Masters such a great tournament. It’s very difficult to re-create certain situations. It’s a different experience each year, but it is at a venue that the world knows so well. This all makes it incredibly special when a golfer achieves success there.
Rolex: You won a record 18 majors in your career. Is there one particular win that stands out for you?
Nicklaus: All of my wins at the different majors are special in their own way. However, my win at the Masters in 1986 could be the highlight of my career. I was 46 years old, and back in those days, that was considered old to be playing. I did not expect to win and shot a 65. What made it special was that my mother and sister were able to witness it. It was the first time they attended the Masters since 1959.
Rolex: You became the youngest player to win a career Grand Slam of the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship in 2000, joining fellow Rolex Testimonee Jack Nicklaus in accomplishing the feat. Can you describe the feeling of what it is like to be a part of the Rolex family and what it is like to be recognized alongside the game’s greats?
Woods: Winning the career Grand Slam in 2000 is definitely one of the highlights and proudest moments of my career. Knowing that Rolex supports every major championship made it extra special and feel like a family occasion.
Rolex: You have won 15 majors in your career. Is there a particular win that stands out to you?
Woods: Every major that I have won has been special in its own way, but I’d have to say that winning my first, at the Masters in 1997, and falling into my dad’s arms after will always stand out and be hard to beat. That moment will live long in the memory and forever hold a very special place in my heart.
Rolex: You compete alongside players who were first inspired to play the game by you. How has the game changed over the past 20 years?
Woods: The game has definitely become younger, faster and stronger over the past 20 years. You see that through the emergence of new styles of play, extension of ball-striking distances and proliferation of supremely talented, young players who are breaking through. Players are also seemingly in the gym far more now than ever before. Golf – like with any sport – has continued to evolve over the years, and there have been so many advancements both on and off the course recently in terms of technology, physically and mentally. It will be interesting to see where the game is at in another 20 years’ time.
Rolex: You have won the Masters Tournament on five occasions. The only golfer to have won more times is fellow Rolex Testimonee Jack Nicklaus, who has won six Masters. Can you describe how special the feeling is of putting on the iconic Green Jacket?
Woods: There is nothing better than putting on the green jacket in both the Butler Cabin and in the presentation ceremony following the final round at the Masters Tournaments. It is the pinnacle of golf and why that jacket is one of the most coveted possessions in our sport. It truly is an incredible feeling to have worn it five times and have shared the honor with legends of the game such as Jack Nicklaus.
Rolex: How special was it winning that fifth Masters in 2019?
Woods: Winning in 2019 was unbelievable. After all the procedures on my back, there was lots of speculation around my future and many doubted if another win was possible – let alone a major-championship victory – and so it was an amazing feeling to achieve that and win my fifth Masters.