Nicklaus set for emotional battle
The hardest task for Jack Nicklaus at the Open championship this week might not be making the cut but keeping his emotions in check.
Nicklaus is calling time on his competitive career at St Andrews, scene of two of his record 18 major titles.
The 65-year-old is determined not to be simply a “ceremonial” golfer and wants to make the halfway cut over the Old Course on Friday evening.
That was something he was unable to manage on his last appearance at the Masters in April, where he fought back the tears playing the ninth, his final hole. “I sort of lost it coming up to the green,” he admitted.
And asked about the welcome he will receive from the galleries, particularly when he crosses the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th for the final time, Nicklaus admitted: “The emotional response won’t be from the galleries, it’ll be from me.”
That emotion is sure to be heightened by the presence of his son Steve as his caddy. Steve’s 17-month old son Jake, one of Nicklaus’ 17 grandchildren, died after falling into a hot tub at home in March this year.
“I enjoy having Steve with me,” Nicklaus said. “A little over a year ago when I said I wanted to play the Masters and the Open as my last two tournaments Steve came to me and said Jackie [his eldest son] wants the Masters, and I want the Open, okay?
“I said okay and that was it. I’m delighted to have Steve and he caddied for me the last time I played in 2000.”
Nicklaus also remembered his own father today, not just for telling him back in 1959 when he played St Andrews that it was “an awful golf course”, but also how his death impacted the greatest career in golf history.
He passed away in February 1970 and when Nicklaus flew to Britain later that year he had not won a major since the 1967 US Open.
“I had got a little lazy,” he admitted. “My father lived his life for me and I thought ’I will not let him down – time to go back to work’. I got back to work here. It was a special win.”
Tiger Woods won by eight shots the last time the Open was staged here in 2000, setting a winning record total of 19 under par. The course has been lengthened by 164 yards since then through the addition of five new tees, but if the current fine weather continues, another low score could be on the cards.
“Whether they shoot two under par or 30 under par, I don’t think it really makes a whole lot of difference – it’s still a special place for me,” Nicklaus added.
“You don’t play any other course like this one. It is what it is – a great place.”
Nicklaus won two of his three Opens at the home of golf in 1970 and 1978 and fully expected the 2000 championship to be his last appearance.
He asked Royal and Ancient Club secretary Peter Dawson when St Andrews was next due to be on the rota and was told they were thinking of 2006.
With past winners only able to play until they are 65 that would have barred Nicklaus, but the next thing he heard was that it was coming back in 2005.
“I thought it was an awfully nice compliment. A coincidence maybe, but a very nice honour,” he added.
Nicklaus was also asked on Tuesday if he would have time this week to soak up the atmosphere of the town.
He thought not, but added that he might well come back one day to do just that.
“I understand it’s a very nice place,” he joked.
| Related Stories: |
|
