Jack William Nicklaus (born January 21, 1940), also known as "The Golden Bear", was a major force in professional golf, first on the PGA Tour from the 1960s to the mid-to-late 1980s, then on the Champions Tour from the early to mid 1990s.
Nicklaus is generally regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, but as of 2007 it is a popular discussion point whether or not Tiger Woods will take this status from him, as strong cases can be made for both men.
Nicklaus is ahead of Woods on most cumulative win measures, but Woods has won more than Nicklaus had at the same age, and has arguably been more dominant in his era. Can Tiger survive the test of time as Nicklaus did?
Together with Arnold Palmer, he is credited with turning golf into the major spectator sport it has become. While Palmer brought golf into the television era, it was the developing Nicklaus-Palmer rivalry that drove subsequent interest.
He has won over 100 golf tournaments world wide including eighteen majors. He won the Master's Tournament in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986.
One hundred and sixty-four majors, 18 victories spanning a remarkable 24 years, another 19 second-place finishes, and each accomplished with more grace and character than any sportsman before or since. Saying he was an inspiration to several generations of major winners only tells the half of it.
Video clip below is from Jack Nicklaus - Golf - My Way. The complete video can be purchased from the Internet or most any golf or video stores. |
Click on the Video Camera to view Jack Nicklaus' golf swing
