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   Jack NIcklaus Finishes Golf Career

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Topic: Jack NIcklaus Finishes Golf Career (Read 140 times)

luci
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Jack NIcklaus Finishes Golf Career
« on: Jul 16^th, 2005, 8:39am »

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It is a must for me to tell all of you I did have the privilege of seeing Jack Nicklaus play the Colonial
in Ft. Worth and make the winning putt! Grin

1980's

July 15, 2005
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Tiger Woods walked into the room as Jack Nicklaus was finishing up. They shook hands, exchanged a few pleasantries and went in opposite directions. Nicklaus headed for the exit. Woods took the stage. The same thing happened on the Old Course.

Nicklaus faded into retirement with a teary finale at the British Open, failing to make the cut Friday but leaving everyone with an enduring image: the Golden Bear hunching over a birdie putt on the 18th hole, the ball curling into the cup, the club pointing skyward in triumph.

Before the tears could dry, Woods arrived at the same hole, halfway home to his second British Open championship.

This one has all the makings of another Tiger runaway, just like his first one in 2000. Woods is 11 under after rounds of 66 and 67, the next-closest player a distant four strokes behind.

And even that player, Colin Montgomerie, concedes everyone - himself included - is playing for second unless something goes drastically wrong in Woods' game.

Don't count on it.

Woods has his largest 36-hole lead in a major since his magical run five years ago, which included a 19-under, eight-stroke victory at St. Andrews. Based on the first two days, his only competition is history.

"I still have to take care of my own business, and that's a lot out here on this golf course," Woods said. "You have enough issues out there to worry about."

After giving Nicklaus a proper sendoff, the British Open resumed on a sunny, warm Saturday. Again, there was a relatively calm breeze rustling along St. Andrews Bay, giving Woods and everyone else a chance to go low.

Among the early starters, Soren Hansen of Denmark shot 66, matching Woods' first-round score. Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands was 6 under with three holes to play.

The salute to Nicklaus started on the first hole, when the packed grandstand rose and applauded as Nicklaus walked by in an argyle sweater, similar to the one he wore in 1978 when he won at St. Andrews. It traveled around the links until he got the loudest cheer of all - when he posed atop the Swilcan Bridge. He strolled the remainder of the fairway alone, then ended his career with a 15-footer for birdie.

"You saw the greatest player who has ever played the game come up the 18th hole," said five-time Open champion Tom Watson, who played with Nicklaus and teared up himself.

Nicklaus shot an even-par 72 and finished at 147 to miss the cut by two shots. But that didn't diminish his record in the majors: 164 events, 18 victories, 19 runner-up finishes.

"He's been the benchmark for every player that's ever played the game, at least in my generation," said Woods, who already is halfway to Nicklaus' record and looks as though he might get his 10th major this week.

And so the torch was passed, just as it was when Nicklaus bowed out of the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Masters - all of those won by Woods.

He will play in the final pairing Saturday with Montgomerie, who got the second-loudest cheers as he birdied three of his final five holes for a 67 that put him at 137.

The last time they were in the final group together at a major was the third round of the 1997 Masters, Woods' first full year as a pro. Monty confidently predicted experience would be on his side, only to have Woods put nine shots between them that day and win by 12.

All he can do now is hope.

"If Tiger Woods plays the way Tiger Woods can play around this type of course, I would have to agree with a number of other players that second place is what we're doing," Montgomerie said.

The seven players at 6-under 138 included Vijay Singh, who missed several birdie chances inside 10 feet and felt his 69 was about as poor as he could have done. He certainly isn't about to concede the claret jug to Woods.

"Look at Retief at the U.S. Open," Singh said, referring to Retief Goosen blowing a three-shot lead in the final round by shooting 81. "You never thought he'd mess that up the way he was playing."

Others at 138 included Brad Faxon, a throwback who came to Scotland for local qualifying and shot 66; and Jose Maria Olazabal, keeping his chances alive with an eagle through the Valley of Sin on the final hole to salvage a 70.

Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson tried to get back into the mix, each with a 67 that got them to 141. By the end of the day, they still were eight shots behind.

In the interview room, the sport's past and present crossed paths. Nicklaus was signing autographs for Open officials when Woods walked in to take questions from the media.

"Nice playing," Nicklaus said, extending his right hand.

"Thank you, sir," Woods replied as they shook.

"You know, that's my best round of the year!" Nicklaus said proudly. "And I still didn't make the cut."

Too bad they didn't come along at the same time.

"I would have loved to have gone head-to-head against him in his prime," Woods said. "We would have had a lot of fun."

« Last Edit: Jul 16^th, 2005, 8:40am by luci »

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Pocket
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Re: Jack NIcklaus Finishes Golf Career
« Reply #1 on: Jul 16^th, 2005, 10:03am »

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We just happened to see Nicklaus on the long walk to the 18th hole, and make his last putt. It was quite emotional, wasn't it?

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luci
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Re: Jack NIcklaus Finishes Golf Career
« Reply #2 on: Jul 16^th, 2005, 10:26am »

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Yes, he been a wonderful example for
young golfers and other young men as well Cool

Lead by example, and he has Cool

YES Pocket, it was very emotional, knowing
we won't see him in a Championship again,
also kowing we're about his same age! Cry

Time marches on........................ Wink

« Last Edit: Jul 16^th, 2005, 10:34am by luci »

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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