Coordinates	40°37′29″N73°57′8″N
name	2005 Open Championship
dates	14 - 17 July 2005
location	St Andrews, Scotland
course	Old Course at St Andrews
tour	PGA Tour PGA European Tour Japan Golf Tour
par	72
yardage	7,279
field	156 players, 80 after cut
cut	146 (+2)
purse	£4,000,000$7,490,400
winners share	£720,000$1,261,285
champion	Tiger Woods
score	274 (-14) }}

The 2005 Open Championship was the 134th Open Championship, played from 14-17 July at The Old Course at St Andrews. Tiger Woods pulled away from Colin Montgomerie for a five shot victory. The win was his second overall and his second at St. Andrews.

History of The Open Championship at The Old Course at St Andrews

While winning the Open Championship is a crowning achievement for any golfer, a win at St Andrews is considered particularly important due to the course's long tradition. Tiger Woods won the last Open Championship played at St. Andrews in 2000 with a tournament to par record of 19-under par. Other past winners at St Andrews include John Daly, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus (twice), Tony Lema, Kel Nagle, Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Sam Snead, Dick Burton, Denny Shute, Bobby Jones, Jock Hutchison, James Braid (twice), John Henry Taylor (twice), Hugh Kirkaldy, Jack Burns, Bob Martin (twice), Jamie Anderson and Tom Kidd.

Course

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Front Nine !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !8 !9 !OUT |- |Yardage |align="center"|376 |align="center"|453 |align="center"|397 |align="center"|480 |align="center"|568 |align="center"|412 |align="center"|390 |align="center"|175 |align="center"|352 |align="center"|------ |- |Par |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|5 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|3 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|36 |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Back Nine !10 !11 !12 !13 !14 !15 !16 !17 !18 !IN |- |Yardage |align="center"|380 |align="center"|174 |align="center"|348 |align="center"|465 |align="center"|618 |align="center"|456 |align="center"|423 |align="center"|455 |align="center"|357 |align="center"|------ |- |Par |align="center"|4 |align="center"|3 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|5 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|4 |align="center"|36 |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"| !Front 9 !Back 9 !Total |- |Yardage |align="center"|3,603 |align="center"|3,676 |align="center"|7,279 |- |Par |align="center"|36 |align="center"|36 |align="center"|72 |}

Round-by-round summary

First round (Thursday)

Tiger Woods stormed out to a one shot lead over Mark Hensby after shooting a six under 66. Hensby missed a birdie putt on the 18th that would have given him a share of the first round lead. Defending champion Todd Hamilton shot a two over 74. Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, carded a three-over 75 as he bids to make the cut in his final Open.

Tiger Woods align=centerMark Hensby align=centerFred Couples rowspan="10" align=center

!#!!Player!!Country!!Score!!To par
align=center	1	|		66
align=center	2	|		67
rowspan="10" align=center	T3	|		68
Luke Donald
Retief Goosen
Trevor Immelman
Peter Lonard
José María Olazábal
Eric Ramsay (a)
Chris Riley (golfer)	Chris Riley
Tino Schuster
Scott Verplank

Second round (Friday)

Jack Nicklaus played the final shot of his professional career; a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th having taken a near ten-minute standing ovation on his walk up to the final green, pausing for photographs on the iconic small footbridge. In doing so, he parred his last ever round but missed the cut with a score of three-over-par.

Tiger Woods align=centerColin Montgomerie align=centerRobert Allenby rowspan="7" align=centerBart Bryant rowspan="5" align=center

!#!!Player!!Country!!Score!!To par
align=center	1	|		66-67=133
align=center	2	|		71-66=137
rowspan="7" align=center	T3	|		70-68=138
Brad Faxon	>
Trevor Immelman	>
Peter Lonard	>
José María Olazábal	>
Vijay Singh	>
Scott Verplank	>
rowspan="5" align=center	T10	|		69-70=139
Fred Couples	>
Sergio García	>
Simon Khan	>
Bo Van Pelt	>

Amateurs: ''Molinari (-4), Ramsay (-2), Richardson (E), Saltman (E)'', Florén (+7), McElhinney (+9), Steele (+9).

Third round (Saturday)

Tiger Woods align=centerJosé María Olazábal align=centerRetief Goosen rowspan="2" align=centerBrad Faxon rowspan="2" align=centerMichael Campbell rowspan="2" align=centerBart Bryant rowspan="11" align=center

!#!!Player!!Country!!Score!!To par
align=center	1	|		66-67-71=204
align=center	2	|		68-70-68=206
rowspan="2" align=center	T3	|		68-73-66=207
Colin Montgomerie	>
rowspan="2" align=center	T5	|		72-66-70=208
Sergio García	>
rowspan="2" align=center	T7	|		69-72-68=209
Vijay Singh	>
rowspan="11" align=center	T9	|		69-70-71=210
Tim Clark (golfer)	Tim Clark	>
Darren Clarke	>
John Daly (golfer)	John Daly	>
Søren Hansen	>
Maarten Lafeber	>
Bernhard Langer	>
Sandy Lyle	>
Sean O'Hair	>
Kenny Perry	>
Scott Verplank	>

Fourth round (Sunday)

Tiger Woods moved to 10-0 when leading going into the final round of a major, winning his second Open Championship title. Woods pulled away from Colin Montgomerie who finished second in a major for the fifth time. Woods shot a 2-under 70, the only round under par among the final 14 players. Fred Couples and Duffy Waldorf shot 68, the low rounds of the day.

Tiger Woods align=centerColin Montgomerie align=centerFred Couples rowspan="2" align=centerMichael Campbell

!#!!Player!!Country!!Score!!To par!!Winnings
align=center	1	|		66-67-71-70=274
align=center	2	|		71-66-70-72=279
rowspan="2" align=center	T3	|		68-71-73-68=280
José María Olazábal
rowspan="6" align=center	T5	|		69-72-68-72=281	-7	£122,100
Sergio García
Retief Goosen
Bernhard Langer
Geoff Ogilvy
Vijay Singh

Amateurs: Saltman (-5), Ramsay (-4), Molinari (+1), Richardson (+9).

External links

Summary and full results

The Open Championship official site

The 2005 Open Championship site

Open Championship Open Championship Category:The Open Championship Category:Sports festivals in Scotland

Coordinates	40°37′29″N73°57′8″N
name	The Open Championship
nickname
location
establishment	1860
course	2011 - Royal St George's
par	70 in 2011
yardage	in 2011
tour	PGA TourEuropean TourJapan Golf Tour
format	Stroke play
purse	£5,000,000 in 2011
month played	July
aggregate	267 Greg Norman (1993)
to-par	-19* Tiger Woods (2000)*record for all majors
current champion	Darren Clarke - 2011
current	2011 Open Championship }}

The Open Championship, or simply The Open (sometimes referred to as the British Open outside the United Kingdom), is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A;, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico. The Open is played on the weekend of the third Friday in July. It is the third major to take place each year, following The Masters and the U.S. Open, but preceding the PGA Championship. The current champion is Darren Clarke who won the 2011 Open Championship.

The event takes place every year on one of nine links courses in Scotland or England (the event has been held once in Northern Ireland, but Royal Portrush is no longer on the rotation). In 2011, The Open will have a prize fund of £5.0 million, with £900,000 going to the winner, an increase of £150,000 over the previous three years. Historically, The Open's prize money was consistently the least of the four majors; but from 2002 to 2008 it was the highest.

The event is a 72-hole stroke play tournament with a cut after the first 36 holes limited to the top 70 players and ties. Uniquely among the four major championships, the Open features a four-hole playoff for all golfers tied at the end of regulation, with the playoff continuing into sudden death holes if players remain tied after four holes. (The PGA uses a similar three-hole playoff.)

History

The Open Championship was first played on 17 October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, in Ayrshire, Scotland. The inaugural tournament was restricted to professionals, and attracted a field of eight Scottish golfers, who played three rounds of Prestwick's twelve-hole course in a single day. Willie Park Senior won with a score of 174, beating the favourite, Old Tom Morris, by two strokes. The following year the tournament was opened to amateurs; eight of them joined ten professionals in the field. Originally, the trophy presented to the event's winner was the Champion's Belt, a red leather belt with a silver buckle. There was no prize money in the first three Opens. In 1863, a prize fund of £10 was introduced, which was shared between the second- third- and fourth-placed professionals, with the Champion still just getting to keep the belt for a year. In 1864 Old Tom Morris won the first Champion's cash prize of £6. By 2004, the winner's cheque had increased one hundred and twenty thousandfold to £720,000, or perhaps two thousandfold after allowing for inflation. The Champions Belt was retired in 1870, when Young Tom Morris was allowed to keep it for winning the tournament three consecutive times. Due to having no prize, the tournament was cancelled in 1871. In 1872, after Young Tom Morris won again for a still-unmatched fourth time in a row, he was awarded a medal. The present trophy, ''The Golf Champion Trophy'', better known by its popular name of ''The Claret Jug'', was then created.

Prestwick Golf Club administered The Open from 1860 to 1870. In 1871, it agreed to organise it jointly with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. In 1892 the event was doubled in length from 36 to 72 holes, four rounds of what was by then the standard complement of 18 holes. In the same year the prize fund reached £100. The 1894 Open was the first one held outside Scotland, at the Royal St George's Golf Club in England. Because of an increasing number of entrants, a cut was introduced after two rounds in 1898. In 1920 full responsibility for The Open Championship was handed over to The Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

The early winners were all Scottish professionals, who in those days worked as greenkeepers, clubmakers, and caddies to supplement their modest winnings from championships and challenge matches. The Open has always been dominated by professionals, with only six victories by amateurs, all of which occurred between 1890 and 1930. The last of these was Bobby Jones's third Open and part of his celebrated Grand Slam. Jones was one of six Americans who won The Open between the First and Second World Wars, the first of whom had been Walter Hagen in 1922. These Americans and the French winner of the 1907 Open, Arnaud Massy, were the only winners from outside Scotland and England up to 1939.

The first post-World War II winner was the American Sam Snead, in 1946. In 1947, Fred Daly of Northern Ireland was victorious. While there have been many English and Scottish champions, Daly was the only winner from Ireland until the 2007 victory by the Republic's Pádraig Harrington. There has never been a Welsh champion. In the early postwar years The Open was dominated by golfers from the Commonwealth, with South African Bobby Locke and Australian Peter Thomson winning the Claret Jug in nine of the 11 championships from 1948 and 1958 between them. During this period, The Open often had a schedule conflict with the match-play PGA Championship, which meant that Ben Hogan, the best American golfer at this time, competed in The Open just once, in 1953 at Carnoustie, a tournament he won.

Another South African, Gary Player was Champion in 1959. This was at the beginning of the "Big Three" era in professional golf, the three players in question being Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Palmer first competed in 1960, when he came second to the little-known Australian Kel Nagle, but he won the two following years. While he was far from being the first American to become Open Champion, he was the first that many Americans saw win the tournament on television, and his charismatic success is often credited with persuading leading American golfers to make The Open an integral part of their schedule, rather than an optional extra. The improvement of trans-Atlantic travel also increased American participation.

Nicklaus' victories came in 1966, 1970 and 1978. This tally of three wins is not very remarkable, and indeed he won all of the other three majors more often, but it greatly understates how prominent he was at the tournament throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He finished in the top five 16 times, which is tied most in Open history with John Henry Taylor and easily the most in the postwar era. This included seven second places, which is the record. Nicklaus holds the records for most rounds under par (61) and most aggregates under par (14). At Turnberry in 1977 he was involved in one of the most celebrated contests in golf history, when his duel with Tom Watson went to the final shot before Watson emerged as the champion for the second time with a record score of 268 (12 under par).

Watson won five Opens, more than anyone else has since the 1950s, but his final win in 1983 brought down the curtain on an era of U.S. domination. In the next 11 years there was only one American winner, with the others coming from Europe and the Commonwealth. The European winners of this era, Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, Sandy Lyle, who was the first Scottish winner in over half a century, and the Englishman Nick Faldo, were also leading lights among the group of players who began to get the better of the Americans in the Ryder Cup during this period.

In 1995, The Open became part of the PGA Tour's official schedule. John Daly's playoff win over Italian Costantino Rocca began another era of American domination. Tiger Woods has won three Championships to date, two at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005, and one at Hoylake in 2006. There was a dramatic moment at St Andrews in 2000, as the aging Jack Nicklaus waved farewell to the crowds, while the young challenger to his crown watched from a nearby tee; Nicklaus afterward decided to play in the 2005 Open when the R&A; announced St Andrews as the venue, giving his final farewell to the fans at the Home of Golf. In 2002, all Open wins before 1995 were retroactively classified as PGA Tour wins. Recent years have been notable for the number of wins by previously obscure golfers, including Paul Lawrie's playoff win after the epic 72nd-hole collapse of Jean Van de Velde in 1999, Ben Curtis in 2003 and Todd Hamilton in 2004. All three missed the cut when defending the title the following year, as did Mark Calcavecchia in 1990 and Mark O'Meara in 1999.

In 2007, the Europeans finally broke an eight-year drought in the majors when Pádraig Harrington of the Republic of Ireland defeated Sergio García by one stroke in a four-hole playoff. In 2008 at Royal Birkdale, Harrington retained the Claret Jug with a final round of 69 to win the tournament by four shots from Ian Poulter, with a total of 283 (+3) after 72 holes. In 2009, 59-year-old Tom Watson turned in one of the most remarkable performances ever seen at The Open. Leading the tournament through 71 holes and needing just a par on the last hole to win, Watson bogeyed, setting up a four-hole playoff, which he would lose by six shots to Stewart Cink. In 2010, Rory McIlroy set a new record for best opening round of an Open Championship, shooting a 9-under-par 63 at St Andrews.

Trophies

There are several medals and trophies that are, or have been, given out for various achievements during The Open Championship.

Challenge Belt – awarded to the winner from 1860 until 1870 when Young Tom Morris won the belt outright.

The Golf Champion Trophy (commonly known as the Claret Jug) – replaced the Challenge Belt and has been awarded to the winner since 1873.

Gold medal – awarded to the winner. First given out in 1872 when the Claret Jug was not yet ready, but since awarded to all champions.

Silver medal – awarded since 1949 to the highest finishing amateur.

Bronze medal – awarded since 1972 to all other amateurs playing in the final round.

The Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland also mark the achievements of their own members in the Open. Ryle Memorial Medal – awarded since 1901 to the winner if he is a PGA member. Braid Taylor Memorial Medal – awarded since 1966 to the highest finishing PGA member. Tooting Bec Cup – awarded since 1924 to the PGA member who records the lowest single round during the championship.

Tour status

It has been an official event on the PGA Tour since 1995, which means that the prize money won in The Open by PGA Tour members is included on the official money list. In addition, all Open Championships before 1995 have been retroactively classified as PGA Tour wins, and the list of leading winners on the PGA Tour has been adjusted to reflect this. The European Tour has recognised The Open as an official event since its first official season in 1972 and it is also an official money event on the Japan Golf Tour.

Host courses

From 1860–70, The Open Championship was organised by and played at Prestwick Golf Club. Since it was revived in 1872 after a lapse of one year, it has always been played at a number of courses in rotation. Initially there were three courses in the rotation, namely Prestwick, St Andrews, and Musselburgh. In 1893 Royal St George's and Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake were invited to join the rotation. Since then a handful of further clubs have been added, and a few have been dropped. The common factor in the venues for The Open is that they have always been links courses. In more recent times the rotation has generally followed the pattern of being played in Scotland and England alternately. The general interruption to this pattern is the Old Course at St Andrews, which hosts the event every five years or so. There is, however, no strict rule and the host is appointed by the R&A; around five years in advance. There is a map showing the locations of the venues here (there are thirteen dots for the fourteen courses; two of the courses are in the town of Sandwich). The Open is usually played in Scotland, North West England, or Kent in South East England. It has never been played in Wales, and it has only been played in Northern Ireland once.

Opens held in the years from 1987 until 2011, were played at venues which followed a course rotation, with the rota (for years ending in): (0,5) – – Scotland – (Old Course at St Andrews, every fifth year) (1,6) – – England (2,7) – – Scotland (3,8) – – England (4,9) – – Scotland

2012, 2013 and 2014 do not follow this pattern, reversing the countries.

England will host consecutive Opens for the first time in 2011 and 2012.

There are nine courses in the current rota, St Andrews, plus another four in Scotland and four in England:

Courses in Scotland:

Old Course at St Andrews: In 1873 the "Home of Golf" became the second course to host the Open. Nowadays, it does so more often than any other course. Since 1990 it has been scheduled every fifth year. The 2010 Open was held at St Andrews and is scheduled again for 2015.

Carnoustie Golf Links, Championship Course: Carnoustie first hosted The Open in 1931, and rejoined the rotation in 1999 after an absence of 24 years, and returned in 2007.

Muirfield: This private course was built for The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, one of the trio of clubs which ran The Open in the 1870s and 1880s. It first staged The Championship in 1892, just nine months after it had been built. Muirfield last hosted in 2002 and is scheduled for 2013.

The Turnberry Resort, Ailsa Course: A course on the southwest coast of Scotland which hosted The Open in 1977, 1986, 1994, and 2009.

Royal Troon Golf Club, Old Course: Also in southwestern Scotland, Troon has been in the rotation since 1923 and last hosted in 2004.

Courses in England:

Royal St George's Golf Club: This course is in the town of Sandwich in the county of Kent in southeast England. In 1894 it became the first Open venue outside Scotland. After a 32 year absence, it returned to the rota in 1981, and last hosted in 2011.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club: This course in northwest England has been in the rotation since 1954 and hosted The Open in 2008.

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club: Also in northwest England, this course first hosted The Open in 1926, and entered the rotation in 1952. It is scheduled to host the 2012 Open, which will be the first time that consecutive Opens will be held outside Scotland since 1952, and the first time ever for consecutive Opens in England.

Royal Liverpool Golf Club: This course, often referred to simply as "Hoylake", joined the rotation in 1897 and hosted ten Opens up to 1967. After a 39 year absence, it returned to the rota in 2006, and is scheduled to host again in 2014.

Courses which are no longer in the rotation:

– Prestwick Golf Club: The founder club was dropped from the rotation in 1925, by which time it had hosted twenty-four Opens. – Musselburgh Links: Musselburgh is a public course which was used by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. When that club built Muirfield, Musselburgh dropped out of the rotation. – Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club: This course in the town of Deal in Kent hosted the Open in 1909 and 1920. Although situated in Deal, the course is very close to Royal St George's in Sandwich, on the current rota. In fact, the 11th tee at Royal Cinque Ports is closer to the clubhouse at Royal St George's than it is to the clubhouse of Royal Cinque Ports. – Prince's Golf Club: Prince's hosted its only Open in 1932. The course is in Sandwich, Kent, and is adjacent to Royal St George's on the current rota. – Royal Portrush Golf Club: The 1951 Open was staged at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the only Open not played in Scotland or England.

Exemptions and qualifying events

The field for the Open is 156, and golfers may gain a place in three ways. Around two thirds of the field is made up of leading players who are given exemptions. The rest of the field is made up of players who were successful in "Local Qualifying" and those who came through "International Qualifying".

There are over thirty ''exemption'' categories. Among the more significant are:

The top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking. This key sweep up category means that no member of the current elite of world golf will be excluded.

The top 30 in the previous season's PGA Tour money list and European Tour Race to Dubai (which replaced the Order of Merit starting in 2009). Most but not all of these players will also be in the World top 50.

All previous Open Champions who will be age 60 or under on the final day of the tournament.

All players who have won one of the other three majors in the previous five years.

The top 10 from the previous year's Open Championship.

Among other things, the additional exemption categories ensure that the six largest regular (i.e., under-50) men's tours are represented, and that there are some amateur competitors. Full details of all the exemption categories for the 2009 Open can be found here. Effective with the 2010 Open, The R&A; added a new exemption category in direct response to the high finishes of Greg Norman, then 53, in 2008 (tied for third) and Tom Watson, at the time nearly 60, in 2009 (lost a playoff). A past Open champion who finishes in the top 10, including ties, will be exempt for the following five years. This new exemption will not currently affect Norman, who will still be under 60 when it expires, but will allow Watson to play in The Open until 2014 if he so chooses.

''Local Qualifying'' is the traditional way for non-exempt players to win a place at The Open. It comprises sixteen 18-hole "Regional Qualifying" competitions around Britain and Ireland a week and a half before the event, with successful competitors moving on to the four 36-hole "Local Final Qualifying" tournaments a few days later. There are now twelve places available through Local Qualifying, though there used to be far more.

Local Qualifying is open to players from all over the world, and it used to attract some big names. In order to make it easier for professionals from outside Britain and Ireland to compete for a place, the R&A; introduced ''International Qualifying'' in 2004. This comprises five 36-hole qualifying events, one each in Africa, Australasia, Asia, America and Europe. Only players who have a rating in the Official World Golf Ranking may enter, which is a more stringent standard than for Local Qualifying. Thirty-six places are available in International Qualifying. Eligible players may choose whether to enter local qualifying or international qualifying, but they may not enter both. For full details on qualification see here.

Tournament name

In Britain, the tournament is best known by its official title, The Open Championship. The tournament's website uses only this name, while UK media generally refer to the Open (with "the" in lower case).

Outside the UK, the tournament is generally called the "British Open", in part to distinguish the tournament from another of the four majors that has an 'open' format, the U.S. Open, but mainly because other nations with similar 'open' format golf events refer to their own nation's open event as "the open." The PGA Tour refers to the tournament as the British Open, as do many media outlets in the United States, though U.S. TV rights-holder ESPN has taken to referring to it as The Open Championship.

Records

Oldest winner: Old Tom Morris (46 years, 99 days), 1867.

Youngest winner: Young Tom Morris (17 years, 181 days), 1868.

Most victories: 6, Harry Vardon (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914).

Most consecutive victories: 4, Young Tom Morris (1868, 1869, 1870, 1872 - there was no championship in 1871).

Lowest absolute 72-hole score: 267, Greg Norman (66-68-69-64), 1993.

Lowest 72-hole score in relation to par: –19, Tiger Woods (67-66-67-69, 269), 2000 (a record for all major championships).

*Norman's 1993 score was −13. Par at Royal St George's, the site of the 1993 Open, was 70, as opposed to the par 72 of The Old Course at St Andrews, the 2000 site. The to-par record broken by Woods was not held by Norman, but by Nick Faldo, who shot −18 at The Old Course in 1990.

Greatest victory margin: 13 strokes, Old Tom Morris, 1862. This remained a record for all majors until 2000, when Woods won the U.S. Open by 15 strokes at Pebble Beach. However, Old Tom's 13-stroke margin was achieved over just 36 holes.

Lowest 18-hole score: 63 – Mark Hayes, 2nd round, 1977; Isao Aoki, 3rd, 1980; Greg Norman, 2nd, 1986; Paul Broadhurst, 3rd, 1990; Jodie Mudd, 4th, 1991; Nick Faldo, 2nd, 1993; Payne Stewart, 4th, 1993; Rory McIlroy, 1st, 2010.

Lowest 18-hole score in relation to par: -9, Paul Broadhurst, 3rd, 1990; Rory McIlroy, 1st, 2010.

There is an extensive records section on the official site here.

Winners

!YearRoyal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsTurnberry (golf course)Royal Birkdale Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal St George's Golf ClubMuirfieldRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsTurnberry (golf course)Royal St George's Golf ClubMuirfieldRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubMuirfieldTurnberry (golf course)Royal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal St George's Golf ClubMuirfieldRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsTurnberry (golf course)Royal Birkdale Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubRoyal Troon Golf ClubMuirfieldRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsMuirfieldRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Birkdale Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubRoyal Portrush Golf ClubRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal St George's Golf ClubMuirfieldRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeOld Course at St AndrewsOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal St George's Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldRoyal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsPrince's Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldRoyal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Lytham & St Annes Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeRoyal Troon Golf ClubRoyal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Cinque Ports Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldRoyal St George's Golf ClubOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal Cinque Ports Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal St George's Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal St George's Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubRoyal Liverpool Golf Club, HoylakeMuirfieldOld Course at St AndrewsRoyal St George's Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubMuirfieldOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubMusselburgh LinksOld Course at St AndrewsPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf ClubPrestwick Golf Club 168Prestwick Golf Club 163Prestwick Golf Club 163Prestwick Golf Club 174

|	Venue	Champion	Country	Winning Score	1st Prize
2011 Open Championship	2011	|	Darren Clarke		275 (−5)	£ 900 000
2010 Open Championship	2010	St Andrews||	Louis Oosthuizen		272 (−16)	£ 850 000
2009 Open Championship	2009	Turnberry||	Stewart Cink		278 (−2)PO	£ 750 000
2008 Open Championship	2008	|	Pádraig Harrington (2)		283 (+3)	£ 750 000
2007 Open Championship	2007	|	Pádraig Harrington		277 (−7)PO	£ 750 000
2006 Open Championship	2006	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Tiger Woods (3)		270 (−18)	£ 720 000
2005 Open Championship	2005	St Andrews||	Tiger Woods (2)		274 (−14)	£ 720 000
2004 Open Championship	2004	|	Todd Hamilton		274 (−10)PO	£ 720 000
2003 Open Championship	2003	|	Ben Curtis (golfer)>Ben Curtis		283 (−1)	£ 700 000
2002 Open Championship	2002	|	Ernie Els		278 (−6)PO	£ 700 000
2001 Open Championship	2001	|	David Duval		274 (−10)	£ 600 000
2000 Open Championship	2000	St Andrews||	Tiger Woods		269 (−19)	£ 500 000
1999 Open Championship	1999	|	Paul Lawrie		290 (+6)PO	£ 350 000
1998 Open Championship	1998	|	Mark O'Meara		280 (E)PO	£ 300 000
1997 Open Championship	1997	|	Justin Leonard		272 (−12)	£ 250 000
1996 Open Championship	1996	|	Tom Lehman		271 (−13)	£ 200 000
1995 Open Championship	1995	St Andrews||	John Daly (golfer)>John Daly		282 (−6)PO	£ 125 000
1994 Open Championship	1994	Turnberry||	Nick Price		268 (−12)	£ 110 000
1993 Open Championship	1993	|	Greg Norman (2)		267 (−13)	£ 100 000
1992 Open Championship	1992	|	Nick Faldo (3)		272 (−12)	£ 95 000
1991 Open Championship	1991	|	Ian Baker-Finch		272 (−8)	£ 90 000
1990 Open Championship	1990	St Andrews||	Nick Faldo (2)		270 (−18)	£ 85 000
1989 Open Championship	1989	|	Mark Calcavecchia		275 (−13)PO	£ 80 000
1988 Open Championship	1988	|	Seve Ballesteros (3)		273 (−11)	£ 80 000
1987 Open Championship	1987	|	Nick Faldo		279 (−5)	£ 75 000
1986 Open Championship	1986	Turnberry||	Greg Norman		280 (E)	£ 70 000
1985 Open Championship	1985	|	Sandy Lyle		282 (+2)	£ 65 000
1984 Open Championship	1984	St Andrews||	Seve Ballesteros (2)		276 (−12)	£ 55 000
1983 Open Championship	1983	|	Tom Watson (golfer)>Tom Watson (5)		275 (−9)	£ 40 000
1982 Open Championship	1982	|	Tom Watson (golfer)>Tom Watson (4)		284 (−4)	£ 32 000
1981 Open Championship	1981	|	Bill Rogers (golfer)>Bill Rogers		276 (−4)	£ 25 000
1980 Open Championship	1980	|	Tom Watson (golfer)>Tom Watson (3)		271 (−13)	£ 25 000
1979 Open Championship	1979	|	Seve Ballesteros		283 (−1)	£ 15 000
1978 Open Championship	1978	St Andrews||	Jack Nicklaus (3)		281 (−7)	£ 12 500
1977 Open Championship	1977	Turnberry||	Tom Watson (golfer)>Tom Watson (2)		268 (−12)	£ 10 000
1976 Open Championship	1976	|	Johnny Miller		279 (−9)	£ 7 500
1975 Open Championship	1975	|	Tom Watson (golfer)>Tom Watson		279 (−5)PO	£ 7 500
1974 Open Championship	1974	|	Gary Player (3)		282 (−2)	£ 5 500
1973 Open Championship	1973	|	Tom Weiskopf		276 (−12)	£ 5 500
1972 Open Championship	1972	|	Lee Trevino (2)		278 (−6)	£ 5 500
1971 Open Championship	1971	|	Lee Trevino		278 (−10)	£ 5 500
1970 Open Championship	1970	St Andrews||	Jack Nicklaus (2)		283 (−5)PO	£ 5 250
1969 Open Championship	1969	|	Tony Jacklin		280 (−4)	£ 4 250
1968 Open Championship	1968	|	Gary Player (2)		289 (+1)	£ 3 000
1967 Open Championship	1967	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Roberto De Vicenzo		278 (−10)	£ 2 100
1966 Open Championship	1966	|	Jack Nicklaus		282 (−2)	£ 2 100
1965 Open Championship	1965	|	Peter Thomson (golfer)>Peter Thomson (5)		285 (−3)	£ 1 750
1964 Open Championship	1964	St Andrews||	Tony Lema		279 (−9)	£ 1 500
1963 Open Championship	1963	|	Bob Charles (golfer)>Bob Charles		277 (−7)PO	£ 1 500
1962 Open Championship	1962	|	Arnold Palmer (2)		276 (−12)	£ 1 400
1961 Open Championship	1961	|	Arnold Palmer		284 (−4)	£ 1 400
1960 Open Championship	1960	St Andrews||	Kel Nagle		278 (−10)	£ 1 250
1959 Open Championship	1959	|	Gary Player		284 (E)	£ 1 000
1958 Open Championship	1958	|	Peter Thomson (golfer)>Peter Thomson (4)		274 (−10)PO	£ 1 000
1957 Open Championship	1957	St Andrews||	Bobby Locke (4)		279 (−9)	£ 1 000
1956 Open Championship	1956	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Peter Thomson (golfer)>Peter Thomson (3)		286 (−2)	£ 1 000
1955 Open Championship	1955	St Andrews||	Peter Thomson (golfer)>Peter Thomson (2)		281 (−7)	£ 1 000
1954 Open Championship	1954	|	Peter Thomson (golfer)>Peter Thomson		283 (−5)	£750
1953 Open Championship	1953	|	Ben Hogan		282 (−6)	£500
1952 Open Championship	1952	|	Bobby Locke (3)		287 (−1)	£300
1951 Open Championship	1951	|	Max Faulkner		285 (−3)	£300
1950 Open Championship	1950	|	Bobby Locke (2)		279 (−9)	£300
1949 Open Championship	1949	|	Bobby Locke		283 (−5)	£300
1948 Open Championship	1948	|	Henry Cotton (golfer)>Henry Cotton (3)		288 (E)	£150
1947 Open Championship	1947	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Fred Daly (golfer)>Fred Daly		293 (+5)	£150
1946 Open Championship	1946	St Andrews||	Sam Snead		290 (+2)	£150
align="center" colspan="6"	1940–1945: No Championships because of World War II
1939	St Andrews||	Dick Burton (golfer)>Dick Burton		290	£100
1938	|	Reg Whitcombe		295	£100
1937	|	Henry Cotton (golfer)>Henry Cotton (2)		290	£100
1936	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Alf Padgham		287	£100
1935	|	Alf Perry		283	£100
1934	|	Henry Cotton (golfer)>Henry Cotton		283	£100
1933	St Andrews||	Denny Shute		292PO	£100
1932	|	Gene Sarazen		283	£100
1931	|	Tommy Armour		296	£100
1930	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Bobby Jones (golfer)>Bobby Jones (a) (3)		291	Am – £100
1929	|	Walter Hagen (4)		292	£100
1928	|	Walter Hagen (3)		292	£100
1927	St Andrews||	Bobby Jones (golfer)>Bobby Jones (a) (2)		285	Am – £100
1926	|	Bobby Jones (golfer)>Bobby Jones (a)		291	Am – £75
1925	|	Jim Barnes		300	£75
1924	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Walter Hagen (2)		301	£75
1923	|	Arthur Havers		295	£75
1922	|	Walter Hagen		300	£75
1921	St Andrews||	Jock Hutchison		296PO	£75
1920	|	George Duncan (golfer)>George Duncan		303	£75
align="center" colspan="6"	1915–1919: No Championships because of World War I
1914	|	Harry Vardon (6)		306	£50
1913	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	John Henry Taylor (5)		304	£50
1912	|	Ted Ray (golfer)>Ted Ray		295	£50
1911	|	Harry Vardon (5)		303PO	£50
1910	St Andrews||	James Braid (golfer)>James Braid (5)		299	£50
1909	|	John Henry Taylor (4)		291	£30
1908	|	James Braid (golfer)>James Braid (4)		291	£30
1907	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Arnaud Massy		312	£30
1906	|	James Braid (golfer)>James Braid (3)		300	£30
1905	St Andrews||	James Braid (golfer)>James Braid (2)		318	£30
1904	|	Jack White (golfer)>Jack White		296	£30
1903	|	Harry Vardon (4)		300	£30
1902	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Sandy Herd		307	£30
1901	|	James Braid (golfer)>James Braid		309	£30
1900	St Andrews||	John Henry Taylor (3)		309	£30
1899	|	Harry Vardon (3)		310	£30
1898	|	Harry Vardon (2)		307	£30
1897	Royal Liverpool Golf Club||	Harold Hilton (a) (2)		314	Am – £30
1896	|	Harry Vardon		316 PO	£30
1895	St Andrews||	John Henry Taylor (2)		322	£30
1894	|	John Henry Taylor		326	£30
1893	|	William Auchterlonie		322	£30
1892	|	Harold Hilton (a)		305	(Am)
1891	St Andrews||	Hugh Kirkaldy		166	£10
1890	|	John Ball (golfer)>John Ball (a)		164	Am – £8
1889	|	Willie Park, Jnr (2)		155PO	£8
1888	St Andrews||	Jack Burns (golfer)>Jack Burns		171	£10
1887	|	Willie Park, Jnr		161	£10
1886	|	David Brown (golfer)>David Brown		157	£10
1885	St Andrews||	Bob Martin (golfer)>Bob Martin (2)		171	£10
1884	|	Jack Simpson		160	£10
1883	|	Willie Fernie (golfer)>Willie Fernie		159PO	£10
1882	St Andrews||	Bob Ferguson (golfer)>Bob Ferguson (3)		171	£10
1881	|	Bob Ferguson (golfer)>Bob Ferguson (2)		170	£10
1880	|	Bob Ferguson (golfer)>Bob Ferguson		162	£10
1879	St Andrews||	Jamie Anderson (golfer)>Jamie Anderson (3)		169	£10
1878	|	Jamie Anderson (golfer)>Jamie Anderson (2)		157	£10
1877	|	Jamie Anderson (golfer)>Jamie Anderson		160	£10
1876	St Andrews||	Bob Martin (golfer)>Bob Martin		176	£10
1875	|	Willie Park, Snr (4)		166	£6
1874	|	Mungo Park (golfer)>Mungo Park		159	£6
1873	St Andrews||	Tom Kidd (golfer)>Tom Kidd		179	£6
1872	|	Tom Morris, Jnr (4)		166	£6
1871	No Championship
1870	|	Tom Morris, Jnr (3)		149	£6
1869	|	Tom Morris, Jnr (2)		154	£6
1868	|	Tom Morris, Jnr		157	£6
1867	|	Tom Morris, Snr (4)		170	£6
1866	|	Willie Park, Snr (3)		169	£6
1865	|	Andrew Strath		162	£6
1864	|	Tom Morris, Snr (3)		167	£6
1863	|	Willie Park, Snr (2)
1862	|	Tom Morris, Snr (2)
1861	|	Tom Morris, Snr
1860	|	Willie Park, Snr

(a) denotes amateur ^PO denotes playoff

Multiple and consecutive champions

This table lists the golfers who have won more than one Open Championship. ''H'' denotes a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

bgcolor="FFFFCC"

{|class="sortable wikitable" !Country !Golfer !Total !Years |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|6 |1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|5 |1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|5 |1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913 |- | |''' ''H'' |align="center"|5 |1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965 |- | |''' ''H'' |align="center"|5 |1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|4 |1861, 1862, 1864, 1867 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|4 |1868, 1869, 1870, 1872^NC |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † ''H'' |align="center"|4 |1860, 1863, 1866, 1875 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|4 |1922, 1924, 1928, 1929 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † ''H'' |align="center"|4 |1949, 1950, 1952, 1957 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † |align="center"|3 |1877, 1878, 1879 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"|''' † |align="center"|3 |1880, 1881, 1882 |- | |bgcolor="F5D0A9"|''' ∞ ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1926, 1927, 1930 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1934, 1937, 1948 |- | |bgcolor="FFFFCC"| ‡ ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1959, 1968, 1974 |- | |bgcolor="FFFFCC"| ‡ ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1966, 1970, 1978 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1979, 1984, 1988 |- | | ''H'' |align="center"|3 |1987, 1990, 1992 |- | |bgcolor="FFFFCC"|''' ‡ |align="center"|3 |2000, 2005, 2006 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † |align="center"|2 |1876, 1885 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † |align="center"|2 |1887, 1889 |- | |bgcolor="DCDCDC"| † ''H'' |align="center"|2 |1892, 1897 |- | |''' ''H'' |align="center"|2 |1961, 1962 |- | |''' ''H'' |align="center"|2 |1971, 1972 |- | | ''H'' |align="center"|2 |1986, 1993 |- | |''' |align="center"|2 |2007, 2008 |}

Bolded years and player names means back-to-back wins or a three-peat or four-peat winners and players who accomplished the feat.

(a) denotes amateur golfer

^NC denotes No-Competition in 1871.

National summary

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Rank!!Nation!!Wins!!Winners |- |rowspan=2|T1||align=left|||41||22 |- |align=left|||41||26 |- |3||align=left|||22||13 |- |rowspan=2|T4||align=left|||9||4 |- |align=left|||9||4 |- |6||align=left|||7||2 |- |7||align=left|||3||1 |- |rowspan=2|T8||align=left|||2||1 |- |align=left|||2||2 |- |rowspan=4|T10||align=left|||1||1 |- |align=left|||1||1 |- |align=left|||1||1 |- |align=left|||1||1 |}

Future sites

align=center align=center align=center

!Year	!Edition	!Course	!Town	!County	!Country	!Dates
align=center	2012	141st ||	Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club	Lytham St Annes	Lancashire		July 19–22
align=center	2013	142nd ||	Muirfield	Gullane	East Lothian		July 18–21
align=center	2014	143rd ||	Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake	Hoylake	Merseyside		July 17–20

Source

Notes and references

External links

Category:Golf tournaments in Scotland Category:Golf tournaments in England Category:Golf tournaments in Northern Ireland

da:The Open Championship de:The Open Championship es:The Open Championship fr:Open britannique hommes ga:Comórtas Oscailte na Breataine it:The Open Championship hu:British Open (golf) nl:The Open Championship ja:全英オープン (ゴルフ) no:The Open Championship pt:British Open de Golfe simple:The Open Championship fi:Britannian avoin golfturnaus sv:The Open Championship zh:英国高尔夫球公开赛

Coordinates	40°37′29″N73°57′8″N
name	Jack Nicklaus
fullname	Jack William Nicklaus
nickname	The Golden Bear
birth date	January 21, 1940
birth place	Columbus, Ohio
death date
height
nationality
residence	North Palm Beach, Florida
spouse	Barbara Nicklaus
children	Jack (1961), Steven (1963), Nancy (1965), Gary (1969), Michael (1973)
college	Ohio State University
yearpro	1961
retired
tour	PGA TourChampions Tour
prowins	115
pgawins	73 (2nd all time)
eurowins
auswins
champwins	10
otherwins	22 (regular)11 (other)
majorwins	18
masters	Won: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
usopen	Won: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980
open	Won: 1966, 1970, 1978
pga	Won: 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980,
wghofid	1086
wghofyear	1974
award1	PGA Tourleading money winner
year1	1964, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976
award2	PGA Player of the Year
year2	1967, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976
award3	Bob Jones Award
year3	1975
award4	Payne Stewart Award
year4	2000
award5	PGA Tour LifetimeAchievement Award
year5	2008
awardssection	List of career achievements by Jack Nicklaus#Awards }}

Jack William Nicklaus (born January 21, 1940), also known as "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 24 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time.

After winning two U.S. Amateurs in 1959 and 1961, and challenging for the 1960 U.S. Open, Nicklaus turned professional toward the end of 1961. The 1962 U.S. Open was both Nicklaus' first major championship victory and his first professional win. This win over Arnold Palmer began the on-course rivalry between the two. In 1966, Nicklaus won the Masters Tournament for the second year in a row, becoming the first golfer to achieve this, and also won The Open Championship, completing his career slam of major championships; at 26, he became the youngest to do so at the time. After failing to win a major in 1968 and 1969, Nicklaus won another Open Championship in 1970.

Between 1971 and 1980, he would win a further nine major championships, overtake Bobby Jones' record of 13 majors, and become the first player to complete double and triple career slams of golf's four professional major championships. At the age of 46, Nicklaus claimed his 18th and final major championship at the 1986 Masters Tournament, becoming that championship's oldest winner. Nicklaus joined the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour) in January 1990, when he became eligible, and by April 1996 had won 10 of the tour's tournaments, including eight of that tour's major championships, despite playing a very limited schedule. He continued to play at least some of the four regular Tour majors until 2005, when he made his final appearances at The Open Championship and the Masters Tournament.

Nicklaus has also taken part in various off-course activities, including golf course design, charity work and book writing. Nicklaus also runs his own tournament on the PGA Tour, the Memorial Tournament. His golf course design company is one of the largest in the world. Nicklaus' books vary from instructional to autobiographical, with his ''Golf My Way'' considered one of the best instructional golf books of all time; the video of the same name is the best-selling golf instructional to date.

Amateur and college golf career

Nicklaus was born in Columbus, Ohio and is of German descent, the son of pharmacist Charlie Nicklaus and his wife Helen. Charlie was a skilled all-round athlete, who had played college football for The Ohio State University Buckeyes, and had gone on to play semi-professional football under an assumed name for the Portsmouth Spartans. Charlie had also been a scratch golfer and local tennis champion in his youth. Jack was raised in the suburb of Upper Arlington, and attended Upper Arlington High School, whose nickname and mascot are called the Golden Bears. Jack was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection in basketball as a shooting guard his senior year, and received some recruiting interest from college basketball programs. Jack also competed successfully during his youth in football, baseball, tennis, and track and field.;

Jack Nicklaus took up golf at the age of ten, scoring a 51 at Scioto Country Club for his first nine holes ever played. Charlie Nicklaus had joined Scioto that same year, returning to golf to help heal a volleyball injury. Jack was coached at Scioto by club pro Jack Grout, a Texas-developed contemporary of golf greats Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan; Grout would become Nicklaus's lifelong golf instructor. Nicklaus overcame a mild case of polio as a 13-year-old.

Nicklaus won the first of five straight Ohio State Junior titles at the age of 12. At 13, he broke 70 at Scioto Country Club for the first time, and became that year's youngest qualifier into the U.S. Junior Amateur, where he survived three match-play rounds. He had earned a handicap of +3 at age 13, the lowest in the Columbus area.; Nicklaus won the Tri-State High School Championship (Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana) at the age of 14 with a round of 68, and also recorded his first hole-in-one in tournament play the same year. At 15, Nicklaus shot a 66 at Scioto Country Club, which was the amateur course record, and qualified for his first U.S. Amateur. He won the Ohio Open in 1956 at age 16, highlighted by a phenomenal third round of 64, competing against professionals. In all, Nicklaus won 27 events in the Ohio area from age 10 to age 17.

In 1957, Nicklaus won the U.S. National Jaycees Championship, having lost the previous year in a playoff. Nicklaus also competed in his first of 44 consecutive U.S. Opens that year, but missed the cut. In 1958 at age 18, he competed in his first PGA Tour event, the Rubber City Open, at Akron, Ohio, tying for 12th place, and made the cut in the U.S. Open, tying for 41st place. Nicklaus also won two Trans-Mississippi Amateurs – in 1958 at Prairie Dunes Country Club and 1959 at Woodhill Country Club, with final match victories of 9 & 8 and 3 & 2, respectively. Also in 1959, Nicklaus won the North and South Amateur at Pinehurst, North Carolina and competed in three additional PGA Tour events, with his best finish being another 12th place showing at the Buick Open.

While attending Ohio State University, he won the U.S. Amateur twice (1959, 1961), and an NCAA Championship (1961). In the 1959 U.S. Amateur, Nicklaus defeated two-time winner and defending champion Charles Coe in the final 36-hole match 1-up, with a birdie on the final hole. This was significant because of Coe's proven ability as a player, but because Nicklaus became the then-youngest champion in the modern era, and second only to Robert A. Gardner, who won in 1909. In 1961, Nicklaus became the first player to win the individual title at the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year. He was followed by Phil Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods (1996), and Ryan Moore (2004). Nicklaus also won the NCAA Big Ten Conference Championship that year with a 72-hole aggregate of 283, while earlier claiming the Western Amateur in New Orleans. In his second and last U.S. Amateur win in 1961, Nicklaus convincingly defeated Dudley Wysong 8 & 6 at Pebble Beach in the 36-hole championship match. For the week, Nicklaus was 20 strokes under par, including 34 birdies and two eagles.

At the 1960 U.S. Open, Nicklaus shot a two-under par 282, finishing second by two strokes to Arnold Palmer, who won the tournament with a final round charge of six-under-par 65. This score remains the lowest ever shot by an amateur in the U.S. Open. Nicklaus played the final 36 holes with Ben Hogan, who later remarked he had just played 36 holes with a kid who should have won by 10 shots. During the final 36 holes, Nicklaus was two-under-par, and never shot a single round above par during the entire tournament, the only entrant to do so. Nicklaus had led by two shots with six holes to play. In 1960, Nicklaus also tied for 13th in the Masters Tournament. He tied for fourth in the 1961 U.S. Open, three shots behind champion Gene Littler, having played the final 54 holes one under par. Each of these three major championship finishes designated Nicklaus as Low Amateur. However, Nicklaus' one-under-par 287 tied for seventh in the 1961 Masters Tournament, and was second that year only to Charles Coe's low amateur placing, when he tied for second with Arnold Palmer at seven-under par 281, one shot behind champion Gary Player.

Nicklaus represented the United States against Great Britain and Ireland on winning Walker Cup teams in both 1959 and 1961, decisively winning both of his matches in each contest. He was also a member of the victorious 1960 U.S. Eisenhower Trophy team, winning the unofficial individual title by 13 shots over teammate Deane Beman with a four-round score of 269, a record which still stands; this score was 18 shots lower than Ben Hogan's earlier U.S. Open aggregate of 287 at the same site (which had, however, been scored under much tougher conditions).; Nicklaus was named the world's top amateur golfer by ''Golf Digest'' magazine for three straight years, 1959–1961.

College studies

Nicklaus attended Ohio State from 1957 to 1961. He majored in pre-pharmacy his first three years, with good grades, and intended to follow his father into that profession after graduation. As his golf achievements mounted, Nicklaus changed his mind on his career path, switching programs to study insurance, as he planned at that stage to remain a career amateur in golf, and to make his living by selling insurance. For a time he worked in the insurance field while also attending college. However, after having married Barbara Bash in July 1960, and with their first child (Jack Jr.) born in September 1961, Nicklaus then decided to become a professional golfer in late 1961, to best support his family. He wound up a few course hours short of graduating from college. Ohio State granted him an honorary doctorate in 1972.

PGA Tour career

Professional breakthrough 1962–63

Nicklaus began his professional career on the PGA Tour in 1962. While Nicklaus officially turned professional in late 1961, he debated heavily the idea of remaining an amateur in order to further emulate his idol, Bobby Jones. However, Nicklaus realized in order to be regarded the best, he would have to compete against the best and in greater frequency. Shortly after turning professional, Nicklaus' future agent, Mark McCormack was interviewed by ''Melbourne Age'' writer, Don Lawrence who inquired about the American golf scene. When McCormack described Nicklaus, Lawrence referred to the "large, strong, and blond" player as "the Golden Bear," a nickname that would become synonymous with Nicklaus throughout his professional life. However, another possible origination of the name derives from the high school that Nicklaus attended in Upper Arlington, Ohio, which uses the mascot the Golden Bears for its sports teams. As mentioned above, Nicklaus played on several Golden Bear athletic teams, including captaining its 1956 state-champion golf squad, suggesting that McCormack may have adopted the name through Nicklaus' high school affiliation. Regardless, by 1963, the nickname had stuck.

His first professional win came in his 17th start, defeating the heavily-favored Arnold Palmer in a Sunday playoff at Oakmont for the 1962 U.S. Open. While the galleries were more than vocal in their support for Palmer, who had grown up in the area, Nicklaus won the playoff by three shots (71 to 74). In 90 holes, Nicklaus had only one three-putt green. The U.S. Open victory made Nicklaus the reigning U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur champion. In addition, at age 22, Nicklaus was the youngest U.S. Open champion since Bobby Jones won at age 21 in 1923, and he has remained the youngest winner since. The U.S. Open win placed Nicklaus on the cover of ''Time'' magazine. This was also the beginning of the Nicklaus-Palmer rivalry, which attracted viewers to the new technology of television.

By the end of the year Nicklaus had picked up two more wins, those being the Seattle Open and the Portland Open back-to-back. In addition, he tied for third in his first attempt at the PGA Championship. Nicklaus completed 1962 with over $60,000 in prize-money, made 26 of 26 cuts with 16 top-10 finishes, placed third on the PGA Tour money list, and was named Rookie of the Year. He also won the inaugural staging of the World Series of Golf, a select-field event for the year's major champions, and collected another $50,000 (unofficial money) for that win.

In 1963 Nicklaus won two of the four major championships—the Masters and the PGA Championship. These victories made him the then-youngest winner of the Masters and third-youngest winner of the PGA Championship, and each win came in just his second year as a professional. Earlier in 1963, Nicklaus injured his left hip playing an approach shot from the rough—an injury that would manifest itself years later. Ironically, Nicklaus credits this injury with assisting him in altering his swing heading into the 1963 Masters, thus allowing him to play a draw more easily. Along with three other wins including the Tournament of Champions, he placed second to Arnold Palmer on the PGA Tour money list with just over $100,000. He also teamed with Palmer to win the Canada Cup (now the World Cup of Golf) in France, representing the United States (this event was shortened to 63 holes due to heavy fog). Nicklaus also finished as low individual scorer for that event.

Business success

Nicklaus's rise to fame so soon after turning professional brought him significant endorsement income off the golf course. These business opportunities were facilitated by Mark McCormack, who also managed Palmer and Gary Player. Golf was growing rapidly in popularity and media coverage during the early 1960s, led by the performances of these three star players, with Palmer's charging style and personal popularity making him the world's most marketable sports figure. This association was the start of the agency which became known as International Management Group, and IMG, after building a base in golf management, eventually expanded into other sports. The Palmer-Nicklaus-Player association developed into the so-called "Big Three" of Golf. McCormack set up a series of televised golf matches around the world amongst the three stars, known as Big Three Golf, in the early 1960s. Nicklaus left IMG in the early 1970s, to set up his own management agency, Golden Bear Inc.

1964–67: continued excellence

Despite winning no majors in 1964 (he had three runner-up finishes), Nicklaus led the PGA Tour money list for the first time in his career by a slim margin of $81.13 over Palmer. At The Open Championship at St Andrews, Nicklaus set a new record for the lowest score in the final 36 holes with 66–68 in high winds (the first time in the championship's history that 70 had been broken in each of the last two rounds). This was not enough, however, to win the event; Nicklaus placed second to Tony Lema. Nicklaus also set a record for the lowest final round score in the PGA Championship with a 64 (since broken by Brad Faxon in 1995 with a 63), but fell three shots short of champion Bobby Nichols and his record-setting 271 score. In 31 official worldwide events in 1964, Nicklaus achieved six victories, seven runners-up, placed in the top-five 21 times, the top-10 21 times, and had only missed cut. Nicklaus and Palmer also defended their team title at the World Cup in Hawaii, with Nicklaus again finishing as low individual scorer.

Nicklaus won the Masters in 1965 and 1966, becoming the first consecutive winner of this event, and the youngest two-time and three-time winner. He broke Ben Hogan's 72-hole scoring record of 274 from 1953 by compiling a new aggregate of 271 in the 1965 Masters Tournament, which while tied by Raymond Floyd in 1976, lasted until Tiger Woods shot 270 in 1997; Woods's score of 270 was achieved with significantly improved golf equipment on essentially the same-length golf course over which Nicklaus and Floyd scored 271. During this 1965 tournament, Nicklaus hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, and had 123 putts, inclusive of just one three-putt green. This was good enough to win by nine shots over Arnold Palmer and Gary Player; this margin of victory was a record at the time, and it lasted until Woods won by 12 shots in 1997. The week's performance was highlighted by a third-round 64 that consisted of eight birdies and no bogeys. It was of this round that Nicklaus said, "I had never before and have never since played quite as fine a complete round of golf in a major championship as I did in the third round of the 1965 Masters". This round tied Lloyd Mangrum's record set in 1940 at Augusta National and remained in place until Nick Price shot 63 during the third round in 1986. It was at this time that Bobby Jones stated Nicklaus played a game with which he was unfamiliar; Jones called Nicklaus' result "the greatest performance in all of golfing history." After Nicklaus' record in 1965, some minor changes were made to Augusta National to toughen the course. Between these modifications and the difficult 1966 weather, Nicklaus successfully defended his title with an even par aggregate of 288, 17 shots higher. He won in an 18-hole playoff over Gay Brewer and Tommy Jacobs by shooting a two-under-par 70. Nicklaus led the PGA Tour money list again in 1965 by a healthy margin over Tony Lema. Nicklaus and Lema formed the U.S. team for the World Cup, held in Madrid, Spain, but could not defend the title, as South Africa won. In all, Nicklaus competed in 28 official worldwide events in 1965, accumulating five victories, seven runners-up, 19 top-five finishes, 23 top-10 finishes, and zero missed cuts.

In 1966, Nicklaus also won The Open Championship at Muirfield in Scotland under difficult weather conditions, using his driver just 17 times, because of very heavy rough. This was the only major he had failed to win up to that point. This win made him the youngest player, age 26 (his fifth year on Tour), and the only one after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, and Gary Player (until Tiger Woods at age 24 in 2000, also during his fifth year on Tour) to win all four major championships, now known as the Career Slam. Nicklaus eventually accomplished the double career slam in 1971 and the triple career slam in 1978, winning all four majors two and three times, respectively. Nicklaus was part of another title for the U.S. in the World Cup in Japan. Nicklaus concluded 1966 playing 22 official worldwide events, with four victories, four runners-up, 14 top-five finishes, 16 top-10 finishes, and zero missed cuts.

The following year, he won his second U.S. Open title at Baltusrol, breaking Hogan's 72-hole record by one shot with a 275. During the four rounds, Nicklaus hit 61 of 72 greens in regulation. Nicklaus finished this record win with a dramatic 238-yard 1-iron shot, uphill into a breeze and light rain, to the 72nd green (an approximate 260-yard equivalent) and holing a birdie putt to close out a final nine of 30 and final round of 65 to beat Arnold Palmer by four shots. Nicklaus and Palmer were the only two players to break par for the week. He also finished runner up in The Open Championship and third in the PGA Championship, one shot out of a playoff between Don January and Don Massengale. For a third time, Nicklaus led the PGA Tour money list for 1967. Later that year, Nicklaus and Palmer teamed up for a 13-shot wire-to-wire World Cup victory in Mexico City. Nicklaus competed in 24 official worldwide events in 1967, with five victories, four runners-up, 14 top-five finishes, 16 top-10 finishes, and one missed cut.

Career downturn (1968–1970)

After Nicklaus won the 1967 U.S. Open, he did not win another major championship until the 1970 Open Championship at the Old Course at St Andrews. Moreover, his highest finish on the Tour money list for the years 1968–70 was second; his lowest was fourth, his worst ranking on the list since turning professional. However, it should be noted that his fourth-place ranking in 1970 would have been elevated to second if The Open Championship winnings were included during that period in the official PGA Tour money list, as they are today. Nicklaus finished runner-up in both the 1968 U.S. Open (to new rival Lee Trevino) and the 1968 Open Championship (to old rival Gary Player).

Nicklaus did not make his inaugural appearance in the Ryder Cup until 1969 at age 29; eligibility rules at the time required a minimum five-year PGA Tour membership before points could be counted for team qualification; rules have been relaxed significantly since. In the 1969 Ryder Cup, Nicklaus was the anchor singles match on the final day, and both his and the team matches were tied as he and opponent Tony Jacklin played the final hole. With the entire competition outcome riding on his match, Nicklaus made a five-foot par put on the last hole, and then conceded Jacklin's three-foot par putt to halve the individual match and the overall team results. This concession was considered by many as one of the greatest displays of sportsmanship in the game's history. As defending champions, the Americans retained possession of the Ryder Cup.

During this period, Nicklaus also let his physical condition decline somewhat, putting on excess weight, which affected his stamina. He significantly improved his condition in the fall of 1969 by losing 25 pounds in one month, and his game started to return to top form. In February 1970, Nicklaus' father, Charlie Nicklaus, died. Soon after this Nicklaus won the 1970 Open Championship under difficult scoring conditions where the wind howled up to 56 MPH, defeating fellow American Doug Sanders in an 18-hole playoff round in emotional fashion. On the 18th hole of the playoff, Nicklaus drove about 380 yards, through the par-4 green with a three-wood, and was forced to pitch back to the hole. His eagle pitch finished approximately eight feet short of the hole. Nicklaus threw his putter into the air after sinking the winning putt, as he was thrilled to have won the Open at the home of golf, St Andrews. He describes this period in his life:

"I was playing good golf, but it really wasn't that big a deal to me one way or the other. And then my father passed away and I sort of realized that he had certainly lived his life through my golf game. I really hadn't probably given him the best of that. So I sort of got myself back to work. So '70 was an emotional one for me from that standpoint. ... It was a big boost."

Nicklaus also went on to capture the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship in 1970 with a 2 & 1 win over Lee Trevino in the championship match. In all for the year, Nicklaus competed in 23 official worldwide events, won four, placed in the top five 10 times, and the top 10 in 14.

Although Nicklaus' performance had declined somewhat during this period, he was still ranked as the #1 player in the world, for ten straight years, beginning in 1968, on the McCormack's World Golf Rankings, which were introduced that year by sports agent Mark McCormack. These rankings, the first attempt to take into account results from professional tours around the world, were not official during that era, but they eventually evolved into the current Official World Golf Rankings, starting in 1986.

Resurgence

With a wire-to-wire two-shot win at the 1971 PGA Championship in February over Billy Casper, Nicklaus became the first golfer to win all four majors twice in a career. In this championship, Nicklaus was the only player to break 70 consecutively in the first two rounds under windy conditions and finished at seven-under par 281. Nicklaus finished second twice and fifth in the remaining three major championships for the year. While he finished tied for second in the Masters with Johnny Miller, Nicklaus made a big enough impression on a young Nick Faldo (watching on TV in England) in order for Faldo to take up the game seriously. By the end of the year, he had won four additional PGA tournaments including the Tournament of Champions by eight shots and the National Team Championship with Arnold Palmer by six shots. With $244,490 in official PGA Tour earnings, Nicklaus established a new single season money record during the year. Nicklaus also claimed his third World Cup individual title in 1971, with help from a 63 in the third round. He also won the team competition with partner Lee Trevino by 12 shots. The year 1971 brought Nicklaus a victory in the Australian Dunlop International as well, punctuated by a course record 62 (his career low score in competition; one of three) in the second round. For the record, Nicklaus played in 23 official worldwide events in 1971, won eight, had 17 top-five finishes, 20 top-10 finishes, and compiled a 5–1–0 record in that year's Ryder Cup competition.

Nicklaus won the first two major championships of 1972 by three shots each in wire-to-wire fashion. He won the Masters and the U.S. Open, creating talk of a calendar-year Grand Slam. Nicklaus opened with a four-under par 68 at Augusta National and never looked back. He was the only player under par for the week as he and the field battled difficult scoring conditions. In the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach again under severe scoring conditions, Nicklaus struck a one-iron on the 218-yard par-three 17th hole during the final round into a stiff, gusty ocean breeze that hit the flagstick and ended up three inches from the cup. The U.S. Open was Nicklaus' 13th career major and tied him with Bobby Jones for career majors (although a different group of tournaments had been considered majors in Jones's time). This victory was also Nicklaus' 11th professional major, tying him with Walter Hagen, and made him the first player to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open championships on the same golf course. He won a total of seven tournaments during the year, and was runner-up in a further three PGA Tour events. Nicklaus did not win the Grand Slam in 1972, however, as Lee Trevino repeated as the Open Championship winner (Nicklaus finished second, one shot behind), and Gary Player prevailed in the PGA Championship. He closed out this remarkable year with a second of three consecutive Walt Disney World Golf Classic victories by shooting a 21-under par 267 to win by nine shots. Nicklaus concluded 1972 by competing in 20 official worldwide events winning seven, placing second in four, and compiling 15 top-10 finishes.

Jones' record of majors was soon broken when Nicklaus won the PGA Championship in August 1973 by four shots over Bruce Crampton for his 12th professional major (surpassing Hagen's mark of 11) and 14th overall when using the old-style configuration of Jones' day. In that year he won another six tournaments. When he won the 1973 Ohio King's Island Open, he became the first PGA Tour player to win a Tour event over a course which he designed himself. The PGA Player of the Year was awarded to Nicklaus for the third time, and the second year in a row. Nicklaus was also the first player to win over $300,000.00 in official money for a single season in 1972 at $320,542; he eclipsed that threshold again the following year with $308,362. The former total was $106,137 more than runner-up Lee Trevino. The latter total for the year 1973 catapulted Nicklaus over the $2 million career PGA Tour earnings mark, making him the first player to reach that milestone. Nicklaus teamed with Johnny Miller for another team title in the World Cup of Golf, held in Spain. For the year, Nicklaus competed in 20 official worldwide events and claimed seven victories, 14 top-five finishes, 17 top-10s, and compiled a 4–1–1 record in that year's Ryder Cup competition.

Nicklaus' failure to win a major in 1974 was offset somewhat by winning the inaugural Tournament Players Championship and being named one of the 13 original inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Nicklaus said this honor was a "nice memento" after a "disappointing season". Although he had no major championship victories in 1974, Nicklaus still achieved four top-ten finishes in the four events, three of which were in the top four, and placed second on the official money list behind Johnny Miller. While less than a stellar year, Nicklaus was able to claim two victories and 13 top-10 finishes in 20 official worldwide events.

Nicklaus started off well in 1975: he won the Doral-Eastern Open, the Sea Pines Heritage Classic, and the Masters in consecutive starts. His Masters win was his fifth, a record he was to break eleven years later. In this tournament, Nicklaus made a putt on the 16th hole of the final round to all but secure his victory over Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller in a riveting final-round battle. He also won the PGA Championship in August at Firestone Country Club by two shots over Bruce Crampton for his fourth win. Having won the Masters and PGA Championship, Nicklaus missed a playoff for the U.S. Open by two shots and a playoff for Open Championship by one shot. His performance in 1975 resulted in his being named PGA Player of the Year for the fourth time, tying Ben Hogan, and he was also named ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. Nicklaus also captured his fourth Australian Open during the year. The year 1975 yielded Nicklaus six wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 16 top-10 finishes in 18 official worldwide events.

Nicklaus placed first on the PGA Tour money list again in 1976, despite competing in only 16 events, winning just two (Tournament Players Championship and World Series of Golf) – neither of them majors – and playing what he called "hang-back-and-hope golf". The 1976 Tournament Players Championship saw Nicklaus set a championship record of 19-under par 269 for his second win in this event which remained in place until Greg Norman's 24-under-par 264 assault in 1994. He also won the PGA Player of the Year award for a record fifth time. Between 1972 and 1976 the only time he failed to win this award was 1974. The year 1976 also concluded an official streak of 105 consecutive cuts made on the PGA Tour (ending at the World Open), which began for Nicklaus in 1970. At the time this streak was second only to Byron Nelson's record of 113.

The following year, 1977, was also majorless for Nicklaus, but he did achieve four top-10 finishes in the four events inclusive of two second and one third place finish – this being one shot out of the PGA Championship playoff between Lanny Wadkins and Gene Littler. Despite a brilliant final round 66 at the Masters, he finished second by two shots to Tom Watson. But his subsequent second-place finish behind Watson at the Open Championship at Turnberry created headlines around the world. In a one-on-one battle dubbed the "Duel in the Sun," Nicklaus shot 65–66 in the final two rounds, only to be beaten by Watson, who scored 65–65. This event marked the first time 270 was broken in a major championship, and the third-place finisher Hubert Green scored 279. Nicklaus would later say:

"There are those in golf who would argue into next month that the final two rounds of the 1977 British Open were the greatest head-to-head golf match ever played. Not having been around for the first five hundred or so years of the game, I'm not qualified to speak on such matters. What's for sure, however, is that it was the most thrilling one-on-one battle of my career."

In 1977, Nicklaus won his 63rd tour event, passing Ben Hogan to take second place on the career wins list, behind only Sam Snead. He also became the first player to amass over $3 million in official PGA Tour earnings. The year also saw Nicklaus win for the first time his own Memorial Tournament, where he described the victory as the most emotional moment of his entire career, and nearly decided to retire from competitive golf.

Proposes Ryder Cup modifications

During the 1977 Ryder Cup at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Nicklaus approached the PGA of Great Britain about the urgency to improve the competitive level of the contest. The issue had been discussed earlier the same day by both past PGA of America President Henry Poe and British PGA President Lord Derby. Nicklaus pitched his ideas, adding: "It is vital to widen the selection procedures if the Ryder Cup is to continue to enjoy its past prestige." The changes in team selection procedure were approved by descendants of the Samuel Ryder family, along with The PGA of America. The major change was expanding selection procedures to include players from the European Tournament Players' Division, and "that European Members be entitled to play on the team." This meant that professional players on the European Tournament Players' Division, the forerunner to the European Tour we have today, from continental Europe would be eligible to play in the Ryder Cup.

Achieves triple career grand slam

Nicklaus won the 1978 Open Championship at St. Andrews to become the only player to have won each major championship three times. This record has since been tied by Tiger Woods, by winning the 2008 U.S. Open. Nicklaus and Woods are the only two players to win three "Career Grand Slams". Nicklaus considered his performance in the 1978 Open as the finest four days of tee-to-green golf he had ever produced, and was most proud that the win came at St. Andrews, his favorite place to play golf. The victory was also his most emotional to date. Nicklaus won three other tournaments that year on the PGA Tour, including the Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic, where he played the final 36 holes 13 under par; he scored five consecutive birdies over the closing holes in the final round. He also won his third Tournament Players Championship in difficult weather conditions; he had won three of the first five stagings of that tournament, and remains the championship's only three-time winner. He was named Sportsman of the Year by ''Sports Illustrated''. The year 1978 also marked Nicklaus' sixth and final Australian Open victory.

Short slump and revamping

After that year he suffered a lapse of form, not winning another tournament until June 1980. The year of 1979 was the first since turning professional in which he failed to win a tournament; he had only one runner-up finish, plus a tied-for-second with Ben Crenshaw behind 22-year-old Seve Ballesteros at The Open Championship. Previously, Nicklaus won at least one PGA Tour tournament per year (a record he shares with Arnold Palmer), and a minimum of two tournaments per year for 17 consecutive years, and this is another PGA Tour record.

During the offseason, Nicklaus addressed two problems which had hurt his performance. His lifelong teacher Jack Grout noticed that he had become much too upright with his full swing, causing a steep, oblique approach into the ball, compared with a more direct hit; this was corrected by slightly flattening his backswing. Then Nicklaus' short game, never a career strength, was further developed with the help of Phil Rodgers, a friend for more than 20 years, and earlier PGA Tour rival, who had become a fine coach. Rodgers lived for a time at the Nicklaus home while this work was going on.

Wins 4th U.S. Open, 5th PGA Championship

In 1980, Nicklaus recorded only four top-10 finishes in 14 events, but two of these were record-setting victories in majors (the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship); the other two were a tie for fourth in The Open Championship and a runner-up finish in the Doral-Eastern Open to Raymond Floyd via his chip-in birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. These victories and placements more than justified the work Nicklaus put in toward his game during the off-season.

Nicklaus set a new scoring record for the 1980 U.S. Open with an aggregate of 272, eclipsing his earlier record of 275 from 1967 over the same golf course. That record, while since having been tied by three other players, stood until Rory McIllroy's 268 in winning the 2011 US Open. This was Nicklaus's second major win at Baltusrol Golf Club. Nicklaus opened with a record-tying 63 in round one and fought off his playing partner of all four rounds, 1978 Colgate World Match Play Championship winner, Isao Aoki. Entering the final round, Aoki had caught Nicklaus after three consecutive rounds of 68, but over the course of the last day, Nicklaus pulled away by two shots. Each player birdied the final two holes for a dramatic finish. Aoki's aggregate of 274 was the lowest score for a U.S. Open runner-up, and would have been the winning total any other year. Nicklaus' win was his fourth and final victory in the championship, tying him with Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan. Nicklaus referred to this win as "by far the most emotional and warmest reaction to any of my wins in my own country".

In the 1980 PGA Championship, Nicklaus set another record in winning the championship by seven shots over Andy Bean at the Oak Hill Country Club, largely due to exceptional putting. Nicklaus shot an even-par 70 in the first round followed by three successive rounds in the 60s over the difficult course, and was the only player to break par for the 72 holes. For the week, the field averaged 74.60 strokes while Nicklaus averaged 68.50. This was Nicklaus' fifth and final victory in the PGA Championship, which elevated him to record-holder for the most wins in the stroke-play era, and which tied him with Walter Hagen for the most wins overall, since Hagen's victories were all during the match-play era. Nicklaus' seven-shot winning margin remains the largest for the championship since it was converted from match play to stroke play in 1958. His victory also made Nicklaus the only player since Gene Sarazen in 1922 and Ben Hogan in 1948 to win the U.S. Open and PGA Championship the same year (subsequently equaled by Tiger Woods in 2000).

Over the next five years Nicklaus won only twice on the PGA Tour, including his own Memorial Tournament in 1984 for the second time, to become that tournament's first repeat champion. He accumulated seven more top-10 placements in major championships, including three runner-up performances. Nicklaus also finished second in the 1985 Canadian Open to Curtis Strange, which marked his seventh and final second place finish in that tournament; this is a record for that event. These seven runner-up finishes came over the course of 21 events—or one second place finish for every three tournaments played—and does not include a third place finish in 1983, one shot out of the playoff between John Cook and Johnny Miller. Also in 1983, Nicklaus closed out the PGA Championship and World Series of Golf with brilliant final rounds of 65, and passed many players to move into contention, but finished runner-up in each to Player of the Year Hal Sutton and red-hot Nick Price, respectively, who dominated the tournaments from start to finish. Despite not winning a PGA Tour event in 1983, Nicklaus finished 10th on the PGA Tour money list, and passed a significant milestone by becoming the first player to eclipse the $4 million level in career earnings.

During this five-year period, the Ryder Cup matches provided Nicklaus with two bright spots. He completed his competition as a player in style by contributing a perfect 4–0–0 record (inclusive of a 5 & 3 anchor singles match win over Eamonn Darcy) in 1981, and captained the United States team in 1983 to a one-point win over Europe.

Wins 6th Masters at 46

In 1986, Nicklaus capped his major championship career by recording his sixth Masters victory under incredible circumstances, posting a six-under par 30 on the back nine at Augusta for a final round of seven-under-par 65. At the 17th hole, Nicklaus hit his second shot to within and rolled it in for birdie, raising his putter in celebration and completing an eagle-birdie-birdie run. Nicklaus made a solid par-4 at the 72nd hole, and waited for the succeeding players, several of whom (Tom Kite, Greg Norman) were still in contention, to fall short. Nicklaus played the final ten holes seven under par, with six birdies and an eagle. At age 46, Nicklaus became the oldest Masters winner in history, a record which still stands. On the feat, sports columnist Thomas Boswell remarked,

"Some things cannot possibly happen, because they are both too improbable and too imperfect. The U.S. hockey team cannot beat the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Jack Nicklaus cannot shoot 65 to win The Masters at age 46. Nothing else comes immediately to mind."

This victory was his 18th major title as a professional.

Before the 1986 Masters Tournament, Tom McCollister, writing in the ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'', said that Nicklaus was "done, washed up, through," and this spurred him on. He said:

"I kept thinking all week, 'Through, washed up, huh?' I sizzled for a while. But then I said to myself, 'I'm not going to quit now, playing the way I'm playing. I've played too well, too long to let a shorter period of bad golf be my last."

This victory was to be his last in his long career on the PGA Tour, and was described at the time by noted golf historian and writer Herbert Warren Wind as "nothing less than the most important accomplishment in golf since Bobby Jones' Grand Slam in 1930".

Author Ken Bowden would write after the win:

"There have been prettier swingers of the club than Jack Nicklaus. There may have been better ball-strikers than Jack Nicklaus. There have definitely been better short-game exponents than Jack Nicklaus. Other golfers have putted as well as Jack Nicklaus. There may have been golfers as dedicated and fiercely competitive as Jack Nicklaus. But no individual has been able to develop, combine and sustain all of the complex physical skills and the immense mental and emotional resources the game demands at its highest level as well as Jack Nicklaus has for as long as he has."

At the age of 58, Nicklaus made another valiant run at the 1998 Masters, where he tied for sixth despite being hampered by an ever-increasing painful left hip. Nicklaus' five-under par 283 is the lowest 72-hole score by a player over 50 in the Masters.

Over the course of his 25-year span (1962–1986) of winning 18 major championships, Nicklaus finished second an astounding 18 times (excludes the second place finish at the 1960 U.S. Open as an amateur). He also placed third nine times and fourth seven times in this span and was one stroke out of a playoff on five of those occasions (1963 Open Championship, 1967 PGA Championship, 1975 Open Championship, 1977 PGA Championship, and 1979 Masters Tournament). His total span of 73 top-10 finishes was 39 years (1960–1998) which is a record in total number as well as longevity among the four major championships and encompassed his tenure from an amateur through the majority of his Champions Tour career.

Champions Tour career

Nicklaus became eligible to join the Senior PGA Tour, now known as the Champions Tour, when he turned 50 in January 1990, at which point he declared, "I'm never satisfied. Trouble is, I want to play like me—and I can't play like me anymore." He then quickly won in his first start on the Tour, The Tradition, also a Senior Tour major championship. Nicklaus would go on to win another three Traditions—the final two in succession—while the most anyone else has won is two. Later in the year, Nicklaus won the Senior Players Championship by six shots over Lee Trevino for his second win of the year, and also his second major of the year by shooting a record 27-under par 261. The next year, in 1991, Nicklaus won three of the five events he started in, those being the U.S. Senior Open at Oakland Hills by firing a 65 in a playoff against Chi Chi Rodriguez and his fine round of 69, the PGA Seniors Championship and The Tradition for the second year straight. These, again, were all majors on the Champions Tour.

Nicklaus has won all the Champions Tour majors with the exception of the Senior British Open. However, he never played in the Senior British Open until after he turned 60; this event was only elevated to a major in 2003. After a winless year in 1992, Nicklaus came back to win the U.S. Senior Open for the second time in 1993 by one shot over Tom Weiskopf. Also in that year he teamed up with Chi Chi Rodriguez and Raymond Floyd to win the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge for the Senior Tour team. In 1994 he won the Senior Tour's version of the Mercedes Championship for his only win of the year. The Tradition was his again in 1995, in a year where he made the top 10 in all of the seven tournaments he entered in. His 100th career win came the next year, when he won the Tradition for the fourth time, and second time in succession. He made a double eagle in the final round. Nicklaus closed the final 36 holes with back-to-back seven-under par rounds of 65 to shoot a 16-under par 272 and win by three shots over Hale Irwin. This was to be his last win on the Champions Tour, and the last official win of his career.

Close of playing career

Nicklaus' final U.S. Open was held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2000, where he shot 73–82 to miss the cut. Later in the year, he was paired with Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh in his final PGA Championship only a few days after the death of his mother, where he also missed the cut by one shot. In both tournaments, Nicklaus provided last minute heroics by reaching the par-5 18th in two shots in the U.S. Open and nearly holing his wedge shot for eagle at the par-5 18th in the PGA Championship.

Nicklaus played without much preparation in the 2005 Masters, a month after the drowning death of his 17-month-old grandson Jake (child of his son, Steve) on March 1, 2005. He and Steve played golf as therapy for their grief following the death. After days of playing, it was Steve who suggested his dad return to The Masters. He made that his last appearance in the tournament. Later in 2005, Nicklaus finished his professional career at The Open Championship played at St Andrews on July 15, 2005. Nicklaus turned 65 in January that year, which was the last year he could enter The Open Championship as an exempt player. He played with Luke Donald and Tom Watson in his final round. After hitting his tee shot off the 18th tee in the second round, Nicklaus received a ten-minute standing ovation from the crowd. Soon afterwards, Nicklaus ended his career with a fitting birdie, holing a fifteen-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. Nicklaus missed the 36-hole cut with a score of +3 (147).

The last competitive tournament in which Nicklaus played in the United States was the Champions Tour's Bayer Advantage Classic in Overland Park, Kansas on June 13, 2005.

Off-the-course career

Golf course design

Nicklaus devotes much of his time to golf course design and operates one of the largest golf design practices in the world. In the mid-1960s, Pete Dye initially requested Nicklaus' opinion in the architecture process of The Golf Club in suburban Columbus, Ohio, and the input increased from that point forward. Nicklaus considered golf course design another facet of the game that kept him involved and offered a challenge. His first design Harbour Town Golf Links, co-credited with Dye, was opened for play in 1969. A subsequent early, yet more prominent design was Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH which opened in 1974 and has hosted the Memorial Tournament since its inception in 1976. This course has also hosted the 1987 Ryder Cup and the 1998 Solheim Cup matches. For the first few years, all of his projects were co-designs with either Pete Dye or Desmond Muirhead, who were two of the leading golf course architects of that era.

His first solo design, Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario, opened for play in 1976. This course served as the host site for the Canadian Open for many years, the first being in 1977. In 2000, the King & Bear opened in St. Augustine, Florida, as a joint collaboration between Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. In 2006, the Concession Golf Club opened in Sarasota, Florida, as a joint collaboration between Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, to commemorate their historic Ryder Cup singles match in 1969.

Nicklaus is in partnership with his four sons and his son-in-law through their company, ''Nicklaus Design''. The company had 299 courses open for play at the end of 2005, which was nearly 1% of all the courses in the world (In 2005 ''Golf Digest'' calculated that there were nearly 32,000 golf courses in the world, approximately half of them in the United States.). While the majority of Nicklaus-designed courses reside in the United States, a significant presence also occupies Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. For 2009, Nicklaus Design had 12 courses in ''Golf Digest''’s "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America".

Writings and media

Nicklaus has written several golf instructional books, an autobiography (''My Story''), a book on his golf course design methods and philosophy, and has produced several golf videos. The writer Ken Bowden often assisted him with this work. His book ''Golf My Way'' is one of the all-time classics of golf instruction, and has been reissued several times since the initial printing in 1974. Nicklaus has also written golf instructional columns for ''Golf Magazine'' and for ''Golf Digest'' magazine, with which he is currently associated. He also appeared as a television analyst and commentator with ABC Sports on golf broadcasts. Several of the books have been reissued, sometimes under different titles, and "My Story" as a special high-quality limited edition for the 2000 Memorial Tournament.

Golf computer games

Between 1988 and 1998, Nicklaus also gave his name to promote the successful Jack Nicklaus Golf computer game series developed by Accolade. Several of the golf courses he designed were incorporated into the fourth incarnation of the game Jack Nicklaus 4 published in 1997. In addition, "Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge" by Activision was published in 1999.

Other interests

Nicklaus continues to manage the Memorial Tournament he created in his home state of Ohio, which is played at Muirfield Village, a course which he designed and opened in 1974. The course was officially dedicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 1974, with an exhibition match between Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Nicklaus scored a six-under par 66, which stood as the course record until 1979. The forerunner to this tournament, the Columbus Pro-Am, had its final year in 1975, and the inaugural Memorial Tournament was held the following year. The tournament is one of the more prestigious events on the PGA Tour.

Each year, the tournament selects one or more individuals as honorees who have made a significant impact to the game. The inaugural tournament in 1976 paid tribute to the late Bobby Jones, while the 25th edition in 2000 honored Nicklaus, himself. This concept was Nicklaus' idea as a contribution to perpetuating achievements of the game's greatest individuals. The honoree is selected by the Captain's Club, a group that acts independently of the tournament organization, but also advises on player invitations and the general conduct of the event. Members of the Captain's Club include Peter Alliss, Peggy Kirk Bell, George H.W. Bush, Sean Connery, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player among others.

The Memorial Tournament continues the PGA Tour's philanthropic focus through its relationships with Central Ohio charities. The most significant of which is its relationship with Nationwide Children's Hospital since 1976. Contributions generated through the support of over 2,600 volunteers are distributed each year to the Hospital's unrestricted giving fund. This fund assists in ensuring Central Ohio continues to have one of the best children's hospitals in the United States. The Memorial Tournament has raised more than $5.7 million to support the programs and services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in those 30-plus years. In 2005 the Memorial made a pledge that will elevate its level of giving to more than $11 million in the coming years. Unique and successful relationships also exist with Fore Hope, James Cancer Hospital, Wolfe Associates, The First Tee, Central Ohio Junior Golf Association, Shriners, Lions Club and many more.

Nicklaus and wife Barbara serve as honorary chairman and active chairwoman of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in North Palm Beach, Florida which provides valuable programs and services to more than 4,000 hospitalized children and their families, free of charge, through Child Life programs, the Pediatric Oncology Support Team, and the Safe Kids program. The Nicklauses established "The Jake", a pro-am golf tournament played annually at The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida in honor of their 17-month-old grandson who drowned in a hot tub in 2005. It has become the foundation's chief fundraiser. Players like Robert Allenby, Raymond Floyd, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Ernie Els, Jay Haas, Johnny Miller, and Gary Player have participated. No one accepts a fee. Everything goes to the foundation, more than $3 million over the past three years.

Nicklaus and retired General John Shalikashvili, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993–97, are serving as honorary chairs for the American Lake Veterans Golf Course capital campaign in Tacoma, WA. The $4.5 million campaign in 2009 was established to complete the nation's only golf course designed for the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. The existing nine-hole course is operated, maintained, and managed by 160 volunteers. Funds are needed to add nine new holes and make other improvements to better accommodate demand from the growing influx of wounded veterans. A two-day event was held at Bighorn Golf Club at Palm Desert, CA featuring Nicklaus, who is donating his design services for the "Nicklaus Nine". In announcing his donation of services (valued at $500,000), Nicklaus said, "I was moved to see the amazing efforts at American Lake Veterans Golf Course where our wounded warriors learn to play golf with the help of an incredible army of volunteers." Monies raised during the campaign will be used to construct the new holes, complete the construction of the Rehabilitation and Learning Center, make improvements to the original holes to enhance accessibility, upgrade the maintenance facilities and restrooms, and help underwrite operational costs.

Nicklaus owns Nicklaus Golf Equipment, founded in 1992. Nicklaus Golf Equipment manufactures equipment in three brands: Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus Signature, and Nicklaus Premium. These brands are designed to target golfers at different stages of golfing ability.

He has also been known to reach out to younger golfers. One notable example came in 1984, when a teenage Canadian golfer who had previously met Nicklaus at an exhibition wrote him for career advice. The young golfer was right-handed but played left-handed; although he was showing considerable promise as a left-hander, he had been told that he might be an even better player if he switched to right-handed play. He wrote Nicklaus asking for advice; Nicklaus immediately wrote back telling him not to change if he was comfortable playing left-handed. The young Canadian, Mike Weir, decided to stay with left-handed play, and eventually became a Masters champion. He still keeps Nicklaus' letter framed in his home.

Playing style

Nicklaus was consistently among the longest and straightest hitters on the PGA Tour during his prime. One early example was winning the official long drive contest at the 1963 PGA Championship with a belt of 341 yards, 17 inches (312 meters). This record lasted more than 20 years. He preferred the fade (left-to-right shape) for his ball flight, since this allowed the ball to stop quickly on hard and fast greens. Another factor in this decision was his distance capabilities, which were developed enough to allow him to play a fade and still reach long par fours and par fives in two shots. Nicklaus considers his longest drive in competition to be during the final round of the 1964 Masters on the 15th hole, where he had less than 160 yards left to the 500 yard par five. He hit an eight-iron slightly over the green for his second shot.

As his career matured, he also developed the ability to hit the right-to-left controlled draw when needed. Nicklaus debuted as a young pro who hit the ball very high, but he could also hit lower-trajectory shots when needed, after gaining pro experience.

In 1968, IBM kept PGA Tour statistics for the first time, but did not continue this practice in the immediately subsequent years. Nicklaus led two categories for the 1968 season: he had an average driving distance of 275 yards, and hit 75 per cent of greens in regulation; both marks were significantly ahead of rivals.

Even though official PGA Tour statistics did not begin until 1980, Nicklaus was consistently the leader in greens hit in regulation through that year, displaying great command of the long and middle irons. Indeed, Nicklaus remained in the top six of this category through 1985 – far past his best playing years. Nicklaus also finished 10th in driving distance and 13th in driving accuracy in 1980 at age 40, which equated to a "Total Driving" composite of 23 – a statistical level not attained since, by a comfortable margin. Nicklaus led this category through 1982. One key to Nicklaus' ball-striking ability and overall power was his exceptional swing tempo. Of this Tom Watson referred to it as Nicklaus' greatest strength in its ability to remain smooth. This proved an asset, especially under pressure, which allowed him to obtain great distance control with his irons.

Nicklaus was also known for his course management skills. He would plan to hit each full shot to the optimal position, to best set up his next shot, usually aiming for level lies and clear approach lines, while favoring his preferred shot shapes. He would often hold back on power to achieve this, but had a power advantage over most rivals through the set, so that he could hit a 3-wood or 1-iron from the tee with increased accuracy to avoid trouble, with sufficient length to keep up with the drivers hit by most rivals. An exceptional example of this came in the final round of the 1966 Open Championship at Muirfield, on the 17th hole, a 530-yard par 5 hole. Nicklaus needed a birdie, but the hole was framed by tall fescue rough, and was playing downwind with very firm turf conditions. He used a 3-iron from the tee and hit the shot 290 yards, then hit a 5-iron 240 yards onto the green, two-putted for birdie, and parred the final hole to win the title. Nicklaus was the first professional player to chart and document yardages on the course on a consistent, planned basis. For most of his career, Nicklaus was not known for his skill on touch shots with the wedges, so he would often play to avoid wedge shots which needed less-than-full swings. Gary Player states that Nicklaus had "the greatest mind the game has ever known".

While not a great putter, he was often able to make the important putts when he needed them. Nicklaus's putting was highly regarded by his rivals. He was also known as a conservative player at times, going for broke only when he needed to. This was especially apparent on the green, where he would often choose to be less aggressive and make sure of an easy two-putt. Nicklaus spoke about this in his autobiography. "I was a fine two-putter, but sometimes too defensive—too concerned about three-putting—to go for putts that I probably should have gone for."

Awards and recognition

After his first year on the PGA Tour in 1962, Nicklaus received the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. As well as receiving the PGA Tour Player of the Year five times and topping the PGA Tour money list eight times, he has also attained the Bob Jones Award and the Payne Stewart Award, among others.

Nicklaus was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1974 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995. His likeness was featured on a special commemorative issue five-pound note issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, making him the first living person outside the Royal Family to appear on a British banknote.

There is a Jack Nicklaus Museum on the campus of The Ohio State University in his home town of Columbus, Ohio. The museum was opened in 2002 and is a state-of-the-art , facility offering a comprehensive view of Nicklaus' life and career in and out of golf as well as exhibits celebrating the history and legends of the game.

Nicklaus had the rare privilege of "dotting the 'i'" of "Script Ohio", the signature formation of the Ohio State University Marching Band, at the Ohio State homecoming game on October 28, 2006 when the Buckeyes played Minnesota; this is considered the greatest honor that can be bestowed on a non-band member. Nicklaus was the fifth non-band member to receive this award. Other recipients include Bob Hope and Woody Hayes. While at Ohio State University, Nicklaus became a member of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.

Along with Annika Sörenstam, Nicklaus was named a Global Ambassador for the International Golf Federation in 2008 and was instrumental in bringing golf to the Olympics for the 2016 and 2020 games. Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Mo. when the United States and Canada were the only two competing countries. The International Olympic Committee approved the inclusion by a vote of 63–27, with two abstentions.

In August 2009, Augusta National announced that Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for the 2010 Masters. Nicklaus will become the eighth honorary starter since the tradition began in 1963 when Nicklaus won his first green jacket. It will be Palmer's fourth year to hit the ceremonial opening tee shot.

Nicklaus, through his global reach in design and development, as well as the worldwide marketing and licensing of his golf and lifestyle brand, is atop ''Golf Inc.'' magazine’s coveted list of the "Most Powerful People in Golf" for a record-extending sixth consecutive year. He is the only golf industry figure who has ever been named to the No. 1 spot for more than three years. Nicklaus topped the 2009 worldwide list of 35 individuals who were selected by a panel of editors for their ability to influence and impact the business of golf, be it the development of courses and communities, the operation of courses, the equipment used by golfers, or the rules and regulations of the game. ''Golf Inc.'' wrote that while the Golden Bear’s reign at No. 1 is unprecedented, "the fact is that he keeps adding to his legend, at the design table and in the business world. Despite a worldwide course development slowdown, Nicklaus’s design firm has over 40 courses in development around the globe...And he remains perhaps golf’s most respected spokesperson on a wide range of issues."

Career achievements

During his career on the PGA Tour, Nicklaus accumulated 18 major championships, which is a record, and 73 PGA Tour victories, second only to Sam Snead. He also holds the outright record for the most wins at The Masters with six, and The Players Championship with three. He played on six Ryder Cup teams, captained the team twice and the Presidents Cup team four times, and topped the PGA Tour money list and scoring average eight times each. For 24 straight seasons, from 1960 to 1983 inclusive, he made at least one top ten finish in a major championship, and this is a record.

PGA Tour wins (73)

Other wins (22)

Senior Tour wins (10)

Other senior wins (11)

Major championships

Wins (18)

{|class="sortable wikitable" !Year!!Championship!!54 Holes!!Winning Score!!Margin!!Runner(s)-up |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1962 ||U.S. Open ||2 shot deficit ||−1 (72–70–72–69=283) ||Playoff ¹ || Arnold Palmer |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1963 ||Masters Tournament ||1 shot lead ||−2 (74–66–74–72=286) ||1 stroke || Tony Lema |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1963 ||PGA Championship ||3 shot deficit ||−5 (69–73–69–68=279) ||2 strokes || Dave Ragan |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1965 ||Masters Tournament (2) ||5 shot lead ||−17 (67–71–64–69=271) ||9 strokes || Arnold Palmer, Gary Player |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1966 ||Masters Tournament (3) ||Tied for lead ||E (68–76–72–72=288) ||Playoff ²|| Gay Brewer, Tommy Jacobs |-bgcolor="#ABCDEF" | 1966 ||The Open Championship ||2 shot deficit ||−2 (70–67–75–70=282) ||1 stroke|| Doug Sanders, Dave Thomas |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1967 ||U.S. Open (2)||1 shot deficit ||−9 (71–67–72–65=275) ||4 strokes || Arnold Palmer |-bgcolor="#ABCDEF" | 1970 ||The Open Championship (2)||2 shot deficit ||−5 (68–69–73–73=283) ||Playoff ³|| Doug Sanders |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1971 ||PGA Championship (2)||4 shot lead ||−7 (69–69–70–73=281) ||2 strokes || Billy Casper |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1972 ||Masters Tournament (4)||1 shot lead ||−2 (68–71–73–74=286) ||3 strokes || Bruce Crampton, Bobby Mitchell, Tom Weiskopf |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1972 ||U.S. Open (3)||1 shot lead ||+2 (71–73–72–74=290) ||3 strokes || Bruce Crampton |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1973 ||PGA Championship (3)||1 shot lead ||−7 (72–68–68–69=277) ||4 strokes || Bruce Crampton |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1975 ||Masters Tournament (5)||1 shot deficit ||−12 (68–67–73–68=276) ||1 stroke || Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Miller |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1975 ||PGA Championship (4)||4 shot lead ||−4 (70–68–67–71=276) ||2 strokes || Bruce Crampton |-bgcolor="#ABCDEF" | 1978 ||The Open Championship (3)||1 shot deficit ||−7 (71–72–69–69=281) ||2 strokes || Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Tom Kite, Simon Owen |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1980 ||U.S. Open (4)||Tied for lead ||−8 (63–71–70–68=272) ||2 strokes || Isao Aoki |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1980 ||PGA Championship (5)||3 shot lead ||−6 (70–69–66–69=274) ||7 strokes || Andy Bean |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1986 ||Masters Tournament (6)||4 shot deficit ||−9 (74–71–69–65=279) ||1 stroke || Tom Kite, Greg Norman |}

¹ Defeated Arnold Palmer in 18-hole playoff – Nicklaus 71 (E), Palmer 74 (+3). ² Defeated Tommy Jacobs & Gay Brewer in 18-hole playoff – Nicklaus 70 (−2), Jacobs 72 (E), Brewer 78 (+6). ³ Defeated Doug Sanders in 18-hole playoff – Nicklaus 72 (E), Sanders 73 (+1).

Results timeline

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !! 1957 !! 1958 !! 1959 |- |The Masters |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|CUT |- |U.S. Open |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T41 |align="center"|CUT |- |The Open Championship |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |- |PGA Championship |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !!1960 !! 1961 !! 1962 !! 1963 !! 1964 !! 1965 !! 1966 !! 1967 !! 1968 !! 1969 |- |The Masters |align="center"|T13 ^LA |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7 |align="center"|T15 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center"|CUT |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T5 |align="center"|T24 |- |U.S. Open |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 ^LA |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 ^LA |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T23 |align="center"|T31 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|3 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|T25 |- |The Open Championship |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|T32 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|3 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|T12 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |- |PGA Championship |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center"|T22 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T11 |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !!1970 !! 1971 !! 1972 !! 1973 !! 1974 !! 1975 !! 1976 !! 1977 !! 1978 !! 1979 |- |The Masters |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|8 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|7 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|4 |- |U.S. Open |align="center"|T49 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T10 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7 |align="center"|T11 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T10 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T9 |- |The Open Championship |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T5 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|4 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|3 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |- |PGA Championship |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center"|T13 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|3 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T65 |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !!1980 !! 1981 !! 1982 !! 1983 !! 1984 !! 1985 !! 1986 !! 1987 !! 1988 !! 1989 |- |The Masters |align="center"|T33 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center"|T15 |align="center"|WD |align="center"|T18 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7 |align="center"|T21 |align="center"|18 |- |U.S. Open |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|T43 |align="center"|T21 |align="center"|CUT |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T8 |align="center"|T46 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T43 |- |The Open Championship |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center"|T23 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T10 |align="center"|T29 |align="center"|T31 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T46 |align="center"|T72 |align="center"|T25 |align="center"|T30 |- |PGA Championship |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center"|T16 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|T25 |align="center"|T32 |align="center"|T16 |align="center"|T24 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T27 |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !!1990 !! 1991 !! 1992 !! 1993 !! 1994 !! 1995 !! 1996 !! 1997 !! 1998 !! 1999 |- |The Masters |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|6 |align="center"|T35 |align="center"|T42 |align="center"|T27 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T35 |align="center"|T41 |align="center"|T39 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center"|DNP |- |U.S. Open |align="center"|T33 |align="center"|T46 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T72 |align="center"|T28 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T27 |align="center"|T52 |align="center"|T43 |align="center"|CUT |- |The Open Championship |align="center"|T63 |align="center"|T44 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T79 |align="center"|T45 |align="center"|60 |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |- |PGA Championship |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T23 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|T67 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !! 2000 !! 2001 !! 2002 !! 2003 !! 2004 !! 2005 |- |The Masters |align="center"|T54 |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|CUT |- |U.S. Open |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |- |The Open Championship |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|CUT |- |PGA Championship |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|DNP |}

^LA = low amateur DNP = did not play WD = withdrew due to injury CUT = missed the half way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place. Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

Summary of performances

Starts – 163

Wins – 18

2nd place finishes – 19

Top-three finishes – 46

Top-five finishes – 56

Top-10 finishes – 73

Longest streak of top-10s in majors – 13

Longest streak of consecutive cuts made in majors – 39

All of the above figures are stand-alone records with the exception of the longest streak of consecutive cuts made in majors at 39 which was equalled by Tiger Woods.

Champions Tour major championships

Wins (8)

{|class="sortable wikitable" !Year!!Championship!!Winning Score!!Margin!!Runner(s)-up |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1990 ||The Tradition at Desert Mountain ||−10 (71–67–68=206) ||4 strokes || Gary Player |-bgcolor="#FFFF99" | 1990 ||Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship ||−27 (65–68–64–64=261) ||6 strokes || Lee Trevino |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1991 ||The Tradition at Desert Mountain (2) ||−11 (71–73–66–67=277) ||1 stroke || Jim Colbert, Jim Dent, Phil Rodgers |-bgcolor="#D8BFD8" | 1991 ||PGA Seniors' Championship ||−17 (66–66–69–70=271) ||6 strokes || Bruce Crampton |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1991 ||U.S. Senior Open ||+2 (72–69–70–71=282) ||Playoff¹|| Chi-Chi Rodríguez |-bgcolor="#FBCEB1" | 1993 ||U.S. Senior Open (2) ||−6 (68–73–67–70=278) ||1 stroke || Tom Weiskopf |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1995 ||The Tradition (3) ||−12 (69–71–69–67=276) ||Playoff²|| Isao Aoki |-bgcolor="#D0F0C0" | 1996 ||The Tradition (4) ||−16 (68–74–65–65=272) ||3 strokes || Hale Irwin |} ¹ In an 18-hole playoff, Nicklaus shot a (65) to Rodríguez's (69).

Results timeline

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !1990 !1991 !1992 !1993 !1994 !1995 !1996 !1997 !1998 !1999 |- |The Tradition |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T9 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T4 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center"|T25 |align="center"|T25 |align="center"|DNP |- |Senior PGA Championship |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T10 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T9 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|9 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|8 |align="center"|T22 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center"|DNP |- |Senior Players Championship |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center"|T22 |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|T22 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T6 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|T24 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T8 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|6 |align="center"|DNP |- |U.S. Senior Open |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T2 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3 |align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|1 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|2 |align="center"|16 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T5 |align="center"|T13 |align="center"|DNP |}

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" !align="left"|Tournament !2000 !2001 !2002 !2003 !2004 |- |The Tradition |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T9 |align="center"|T29 |align="center"|69 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T10 |align="center"|DNP |- |Senior PGA Championship |align="center"|T12 |align="center"|12 |align="center"|WD |align="center"|CUT |align="center"|WD |- |Senior Players Championship |align="center"|T34 |align="center"|WD |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|T40 |align="center"|DNP |- |U.S. Senior Open |align="center"|T21 |align="center" style="background:yellow;"|4 |align="center"|DNP |align="center"|T25 |align="center"|DNP |- |Senior British Open |align="center"|-¹ |align="center"|-¹ |align="center"|-¹ |align="center"|T14 |align="center"|DNP |}

¹The Senior British Open was not a Champions Tour event until 2003.

DNP = Did not play CUT = Missed the half-way cut WD = Withdrew "T" = tied Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

Summary of performances

Starts – 50

Cuts made – 46 (cut once, withdrew 3 times)

Wins – 8

Second place finishes – 5

Top-three finishes – 15

Top-five finishes – 18

Top-10 finishes – 30

Longest streak of top-10s – 10

See also

Career Grand Slam Champions

Golfers with most PGA Tour wins

List of men's major championships winning golfers

Golfers with most Champions Tour wins

Golfers with most Champions Tour major championship wins

Most wins in one PGA Tour event

Notes and references

External links

Nicklaus.com Official site and portal to other official Nicklaus-related websites

* PGA Tour career summary

* Nicklaus Design

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Coordinates	40°37′29″N73°57′8″N
name	Jason Couch
birthname	Jason Couch
birth date	November 08, 1969
occupation	Ten Pin Bowler
years active	1991-present
spouse	Kim Couch }}

Jason Couch (born November 8, 1969) is one of the top bowlers on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour. A left-handed cranker, he currently resides in Clermont, Florida.

PBA career

Since joining the PBA Tour in 1991, Couch has racked up 16 titles, including four major championships. Jason's first title came at the 1993 Tums Classic, defeating Brian Voss. Later that year he won his first major title at the 1993 Touring Players Championship. He then pulled off an historic "three-peat" in the Tournament of Champions, winning consecutive events in 1999, 2000 and 2002. (The event was not contested in 2001 because the PBA switched from a calendar year to a seasonal format.)

Couch is currently 12th on the PBA's all-time money list with over $1.6 million in career earnings. He had season-ending knee surgery in 2007 and had to defer his 2007-08 exemption to 2008-09. He was ranked #24 on the PBA's 2008 list of "50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years." Through the end of the 2009-10 season, Jason has recorded 41 perfect 300 games in PBA events.

Jason Couch also graduated from Clermont High School in Clermont, Florida.

Awards and recognition

1992 PBA Rookie of the Year

Won at least one PBA title in six straight seasons (1998 through 2003-04)

One of only two three-time winners in the Tournament of Champions. (Mike Durbin is the other.)

Sources

PBA.com, official site of the Professional Bowlers Association

www.jasoncouch.com, official Jason Couch fan site

Category:American bowling players Category:Living people Category:1969 births

Coordinates	40°37′29″N73°57′8″N
name	Mike Scroggins
birth name	Mike Scroggins
birth date	March 12, 1964
occupation	Ten Pin Bowler
years active	1989-present
spouse	Melanie }}

Mike Scroggins (born March 12, 1964) is a left-handed professional ten-pin bowler and member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), having joined in 1989. He resides in Amarillo, TX. He has won eight PBA Tour titles in his career, including two majors. He won the ''USBC Masters'' in 2005 and the Lumber Liquidators 66th ''U.S. Open'' in 2009. He has 34 career PBA 300 games, and stands at $1,127,218 in career PBA Tour earnings following the 2009-10 season. According to current PBA rules, the two major titles make Scroggins eligible for the PBA Hall of Fame.

Career

After bowling collegiately at West Texas State University, Scroggins joined the PBA tour in 1989. His first title was the 1992 ''Sacramento Open'', in his television debut. He then went 12 years without a title until he won in Belleville, IL in the 2003-04 season. In the 2005-06 season he won his first career major, the 2005 USBC Masters. He also set a PBA record in 2005-06 by rolling 79 straight games of 200 or higher over a two-tournament span, breaking the previous record of 61 games set by Walter Ray Williams Jr.

In the 2007-08 season, he won multiple titles in one season for the first time in his career: in Fountain Valley, CA and Omaha, NE.

In 2009, he won the 66th ''Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open'', the second major of his career. As the #2 seed, he defeated Chris Barnes 200-199 in the semifinal. Barnes, who was aiming to win Player of the Year with the ''U.S. Open'' title, failed to win by leaving an 8-pin at the start of the 10th frame. Then, needing a strike to tie, he left the 10-pin, which gave Scroggins the win. Scroggins moved on to play defending champion and top seed Norm Duke in the final. Duke, like Barnes, also had a chance to win Player of the Year with a ''U.S. Open'' title. But Scroggins defeated Duke 191-173 to win his second career major. In winning the title he won $100,000 in prize money and a three-year tour exemption.

He had a chance to repeat as U.S. Open champion when he qualified as the #1 seed for the February 28, 2010 TV finals. But he lost in the final match to Bill O'Neill, 267-207. Scroggins would rebound the very next week, winning his 8th PBA title at the ''Etonic Don Johnson Eliminator Championship''. He finished the 2009-10 season tied with Walter Ray Williams, Jr. and Bill O'Neill in PBA Player of the Year points, but the honor went to Williams in an overall competition points tie-breaker.

Scroggins has 36 PBA Regional titles and is a four-time PBA Southwest Region Player of the Year. He also currently holds the second-highest league average ever recorded in USBC history—256.8 in a 1999-2000 Amarillo, TX trio league. It was the highest league average until Jeff Carter established a new record the following season with a 261.7 average. Scroggins also holds the USBC record for most sanctioned 800 series in a season (15).

Personal

Scroggins lives in Amarillo, TX with his wife Melanie, and three children. He has a twin brother, Mark, who was the 1993 PBA Rookie of the Year and was exempt for the 2007-08 PBA season.

References

Category:Living people Category:American bowling players Category:1964 births