Tears as Nicklaus bids farewell
The Golden Bear hug and the tears said it all when Jack Nicklaus putted out for the final time at Augusta this weekend.
As the legend waved goodbye, so did the incredible list of statistics that followed.
Persuaded to play in one more Masters – his 45th – the game’s greatest champion and the event’s greatest champion (until Tiger Woods beats all his records) bowed out with rounds of 77 and 76, five too many to survive the halfway cut.
Twelve months after Arnold Palmer was given a huge ovation on his 50th and last appearance, the 65-year-old Nicklaus found the same thing all too much for him.
“I sort of lost it coming up to the green,” said the six-time winner.
When the final shot of the 11,580 he played was done he shared an emotional embrace with son and caddie Jackie.
That scene will be repeated at St Andrews in July with another of his sons Steve – the father of 17-month-old Jake, who died tragically in February after falling into a hot tub at his home.
“I have the right to come back, but I don’t think I’ll venture on the course again for a tournament round,” he added. “I don’t believe I should be out there. It’s no fun to hack it around and struggle to try to figure out some way to break 80.”
He will not be remembered for that, of course.
Apart from the excitement he generated he also set or matched these records:
Most wins: 6.
Most times runner-up: 4 (with two others).
Oldest winner: 46.
Most top fives: 15.
Most top 10s: 22.
Most top 25s: 29.
Most cuts made: 37.
Most birdies: 504.
Most eagles: 24.
Most rounds under 70: 39.
Most tournaments under par: 22.
Most rounds under par: 71.
Most tournament par or better: 24.
Most rounds par or better: 93.
Most under par for front nine: 12 under (with three others).
Most consecutive rounds of par or better: 23 (with two others).
Longest span between wins: 23 years.
Lowest last nine holes to win: 30.
Most consecutive wins: 2 (with two others).
Youngest second-time winner: 25 years 2 months.
Youngest third-time winner: 26 years 2 months.
Most times 54-hole leader: 5.
That, believe it or not, is just a selection. The achievements of those competing at aged 50 or older are also compiled and Nicklaus’ name inevitably appears time and time again.
Nine years ago he predicted that Woods had the ability to win more Masters than him and Arnold Palmer put together. At least 11, in other words.
That may well happen, but for approaching 50 years Nicklaus has been to golf what Muhammad Ali has been to boxing. And for a while at least he will remain The Greatest.
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