Jack Nicklaus (Image: Zuma Press)

Nicklaus, who now plays more tennis than golf, was once a firm believer that rule changes to equipment should be avoided.  He’s changed his stance on that point, and is glad the golfing powers-that-be avoided a battle they could not win.

And his thoughts on Tiger Woods breaking his majors record?  Nicklaus thinks Woods will pass him in two to three years.

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Nicklaus on Asian Golf, Equipment and Tiger

Gary Nicklaus (left) and his famous father. (Image: Zuma Press)

Nicklaus understands that the road back will be a long and difficult one, especially at 40-years-of-age.  But Jack’s son also believes his game is better than before, and that his advanced maturity level will aid him in finding success on the course.  Add to that a recent win in an amateur event (the 2008 Palm Beach Kennel Club County Amateur), and Nicklaus’ burning desire to compete at golf’s highest level couldn’t go unanswered.

Nicklaus will tee it up Sept. 22-25 at a pre-qualifier in Dallas, Texas, alongside Sam Saunders, grandson of another golfing legend, Arnold Palmer.

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Gary Nicklaus Tries Hand at Comeback

Arnold Palmer (left) and Jack Nicklaus (Image: Zuma Press)

“I have always had great respect for Arnold and his legacy at the Masters, and I did not, in any way, want to infringe on the opportunity for Arnold to have and enjoy this Masters tradition for himself,” Nicklaus said in a statement released Monday by Augusta National Golf Club. “He is so deserving of this honor, and thus I felt it was his time, not mine.  Recently, I was invited by both Augusta National and Arnold to join him on the first tee, and because he enthusiastically supported the invitation, it became an easy decision for me.”

Nicklaus’s history at Augusta National is a long and storied one.  He won his first green jacket at the tender age of 23, then added victories in 1965, 1966, 1972 and 1975.  The final of his 18 major wins came at the Masters in 1986, when he became the oldest winner in tournament history at 46 years of age.

Masters week is April 5-11, with Nicklaus and Palmer taking their honorary tee shots on April 8th, before the opening of the 2010 tourney.

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Jack and Arnie Named Masters Starters

Jack Nicklaus (Image: Zuma Press)

Nicklaus reiterated to Watson that his play on the penultimate hole in the British Open was as good as it could have been.  “It just wasn’t there, ” Nicklaus told Watson.

Watson had the lead at Turnberry heading into the final hole, and following a solid drive, put his second shot through the green, en route to a bogey on 18, a tie with Stewart Cink, and an eventual heartbreaking four hole playoff loss.

Nicklaus, holder of 18 major titles, told his friend that for the first time ever, he sat and watched the entire round of any golf tournament.  And like most of us, felt the anguish and heartbreak Watson felt watching his opportunity to become the oldest major champion slip through his fingers.

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Watson Gets Encouraging Words From Nicklaus

Tom Watson (Image: Zuma Press)

The pair had identical scores of 70-68-65 for the first three rounds.  They matched each other shot for shot in the final round, stopping once so that officials could get the unruly gallery under control.  It was bedlam.

Down the stretch Nicklaus had taken control of the lead by a stroke, until the unflappable Watson dropped a 60-foot birdie putt from the edge of the 15th green to pull even.  Matching pars on the 16th led to the turning point on the par-5 17th.  Watson’s second shot left him a 20-footer for eagle, which he missed, but still finished the hole with a birdie.

Nicklaus, in truly uncharacteristic fashion, missed a 5-foot birdie putt after pitching on to the green.  Watson had the lead going to the final hole.

Knowing he had to be aggressive off the tee, Nicklaus took out the driver, but ended up resting in a gorse bush.  An amazing second shot left him 40-feet from the cup, a putt he buried for a birdie giving him a then British Open record of 269 after a final round 66.

But this was Watson’s tournament.  An iron off the tee into the fairway, a gorgeous 7-iron to within two feet, and one final birdie quickly erased Nicklaus’ record setting tournament.  Back to back 65’s in the final two rounds gave Watson a record 268 for the Open, and more importantly, his second Claret Jug.

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Revisiting a Classic Duel at Turnberry

Jack Nicklaus (Image: Zuma Press)

The match itself took place at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California, and was an 18 hole stroke play event.  Without giving away who won, let’s just say that the match came down to the final hole, with the winner dropping a decisive birdie putt.

The match hasn’t been rebroadcast in any way since 1963.  CBS plans on airing the event, renamed Nicklaus vs. Snead Revisited, on Sunday July 12th at 2 p.m., prior to the final round of the John Deere Classic.

I suggest that if you have the time, and the inclination, you sit down and watch this special match between two of the all time greats in the world of golf.  At the very least you will get a chance to see Jack Nicklaus in his prime, the first of his 18 majors under his belt, on his way to becoming arguably the greatest golfer of all time…for now.

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CBS to Air Nicklaus vs. Snead 1963 Classic

The Pathfinder is presented each year in conjunction with the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by Indiana Sports and Indiana Black Expo. Last year’s winner was Basketball’s Oscar Robertson.

(photo credit: Newscom)

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Nicklaus and Wife to Get Pathfinder Awards