Jack Nicklaus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Jack William Nicklaus
Nickname	The Golden Bear
Born	(1940-01-21) January 21, 1940 (age 85) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in
Nationality	United States
Residence	North Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Spouse	Barbara Bash ​ (m. 1960)​
Children	5, including Gary
Career
College	Ohio State University
Turned professional	1961
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour Champions Tour
Professional wins	117
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	73 (3rd all-time)
European Tour	9
PGA Tour of Australasia	3
Champions Tour	10
Other	24 (regular) 7 (senior)
Best results in Major Championships (Wins: 18 (1st all-time))
The Masters Tournament	Won: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
U.S. Open	Won: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980
The Open Championship	Won: 1966, 1970, 1978
PGA Championship	Won: 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame	1974
PGA Tour money list winner	1964, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976
PGA Player of the Year	1967, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976
Bob Jones Award	1975
Payne Stewart Award	2000
PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award	2008
Congressional Gold Medal	2015

Jack William Nicklaus (born January 21, 1940), often called "the Golden Bear", is an American retired professional golfer. He is also a famous golf course designer. Many people think he is the greatest golfer of all time.

Jack Nicklaus won 117 professional golf tournaments. He holds the record for winning 18 major championships, which are the most important golf tournaments. This is three more than Tiger Woods, who is in second place. Nicklaus also finished second in 19 major championships, which is another record. He focused on playing in the major championships: the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship. He played in 164 major tournaments, more than anyone else. He also won 73 PGA Tour events, placing him third all-time. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Nicklaus won the U.S. Amateur tournament in 1959 and 1961. He turned professional in 1961 when he was 21 years old. His first professional win was at the 1962 U.S. Open. He beat Arnold Palmer in a special playoff round. This win started a big rivalry between the two golf stars. Nicklaus was part of "The Big Three" in golf, along with Palmer and Gary Player. This trio helped make golf very popular in the 1960s.

In 1966, Nicklaus became the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament two years in a row. He also won The Open Championship that year. At 26, he was the youngest player to win all four major golf tournaments. He won another Open Championship in 1970. Between 1971 and 1980, Nicklaus won nine more major championships. He became the first player to win all four majors two or three times. After not winning a major for six years, he won the 1986 Masters at age 46. This was his record sixth Masters title and his 18th and final major championship.

Nicklaus joined the Senior PGA Tour (now called the PGA Tour Champions) in 1990. By 1996, he had won 10 tournaments, including eight major championships on the senior tour. He played in the four regular Tour majors until 2005. His last appearance at the Masters Tournament and his final major was at The Open Championship, held at the Old Course at St Andrews.

Today, Nicklaus leads Nicklaus Design, a company that designs and builds golf courses around the world. He also runs the Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour. This tournament honors people who have made a big impact on golf. Nicklaus has written several books about golf, including Golf My Way, which is considered one of the best golf instruction books ever. He is one of only six players to achieve the career Grand Slam in golf. Nicklaus won the Ryder Cup with the United States team five times as a player. He also led the team as captain twice, winning in 1983. In 2015, he received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Obama for his contributions to the nation through sportsmanship.

Early Life and Amateur Golf

Jack Nicklaus was born on January 21, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in Upper Arlington. His father, Charlie Nicklaus, was a pharmacist and a talented athlete. Charlie played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was a good golfer and tennis player. Sadly, Charlie Nicklaus passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1970 when he was 56.

Nicklaus went to Upper Arlington High School. Their sports teams were called the Golden Bears, which is also Nicklaus's famous nickname. In high school, he was a good basketball player and also competed in football, baseball, tennis, and track and field.

Jack started playing golf at age 10. His first nine holes at Scioto Country Club scored a 51. His coach at Scioto was Jack Grout, who remained his golf instructor for life. Nicklaus had a mild case of polio when he was 13 but recovered.

He won five straight Ohio State Junior titles starting at age 12. At 13, he shot under 70 for the first time at Scioto Country Club. He also became the youngest qualifier for the U.S. Junior Amateur. By age 13, he had a handicap of +3, which was the lowest in his area. At 14, he won the Tri-State High School Championship and made his first hole-in-one. At 15, he set an amateur course record at Scioto with a 66. He also qualified for his first U.S. Amateur. In 1956, at age 16, he won the Ohio Open against professional players. Overall, Nicklaus won 27 events in Ohio between ages 10 and 17.

In 1957, Nicklaus won the International Jaycee Junior Golf Tournament. He also played in his first of 44 consecutive U.S. Opens but did not make the cut. In 1958, at 18, he played in his first PGA Tour event, the Rubber City Open, and tied for 12th place. He also won two Trans-Mississippi Amateur tournaments in 1958 and 1959. In 1959, he won the North and South Amateur.

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, he beat the two-time champion, Charles Coe. Nicklaus became the youngest champion in the modern era of the event. In 1961, he was the first player to win both the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year.

At the 1960 U.S. Open, 20-year-old Nicklaus finished second, just two shots behind Arnold Palmer. This was the lowest score ever by an amateur in the U.S. Open until 2019. Ben Hogan, who played with Nicklaus, said he should have won by 10 shots. Nicklaus also tied for 13th in the Masters Tournament in 1960. He tied for fourth in the 1961 U.S. Open.

Nicklaus played for the United States in the winning Walker Cup teams in 1959 and 1961. He also helped the U.S. win the 1960 Eisenhower Trophy team event. For three years (1959–1961), Golf Digest magazine named Nicklaus the world's top amateur golfer.

College Life and Marriage

Nicklaus attended Ohio State University from 1957 to 1961. He first studied pre-pharmacy, planning to follow his father's career. As his golf success grew, he changed his mind and studied insurance. He planned to stay an amateur golfer and work in insurance.

He married Barbara Bash in July 1960. Their first child, Jack Jr., was born in September 1961. The next month, Nicklaus decided to become a professional golfer to support his family. He was a few courses short of graduating from college. Ohio State later gave him an honorary doctorate in 1972.

PGA Tour Career

Becoming a Pro: 1962–1963

Jack Nicklaus officially became a professional golfer in late 1961. He started playing on the PGA Tour in 1962. He had thought about staying an amateur, like his hero Bobby Jones. But he realized he needed to compete against the best to be considered the best.

Soon after turning pro, Nicklaus's agent, Mark McCormack, described him as "large, strong, and blond." A writer then called him "the Golden Bear," a nickname that stuck. This nickname might also come from his high school mascot, the Golden Bears.

Nicklaus won his first PGA tournament in his 17th try. He and Arnold Palmer were tied at the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont. Nicklaus won the playoff round by three shots. The crowd cheered loudly for Palmer, who grew up nearby, but Nicklaus won. This win made Nicklaus the youngest U.S. Open champion since 1923. It also marked the start of the famous Nicklaus-Palmer rivalry.

By the end of 1962, Nicklaus had won two more tournaments. He finished third on the PGA Tour money list and was named Rookie of the Year. He also won the first World Series of Golf, an event for major champions.

In 1963, Nicklaus won two of the four major championships: the Masters and the PGA Championship. He became the youngest Masters winner and third-youngest PGA Championship winner. He also won three other events. He finished second to Arnold Palmer on the PGA Tour money list. He also teamed up with Palmer to win the Canada Cup for the United States.

Business Success

Jack Nicklaus's quick rise to fame as a professional golfer brought him many endorsement deals. These deals were helped by Mark McCormack, who also managed Palmer and Gary Player. Golf was becoming very popular in the early 1960s, thanks to these three stars. McCormack created "Big Three Golf," a series of televised matches featuring them. Nicklaus later started his own management company, Golden Bear Inc. He also had a contract with Eastern Airlines.

Continued Success: 1964–1967

Even though Nicklaus did not win any majors in 1964, he finished second in three of them. He led the PGA Tour money list for the first time. At The Open Championship at St Andrews, he set a record for the lowest score in the final 36 holes. He finished second to Tony Lema. In 1964, Nicklaus won six events, finished second seven times, and was in the top 10 twenty-one times. He and Palmer also won the World Cup team title again.

When Nicklaus won the Masters Tournament in 1965 and 1966, he was the first player to win it two years in a row. He also became the youngest two-time and three-time winner. In 1965, he broke Ben Hogan's scoring record with a total of 271. This record stood until Tiger Woods broke it in 1997. Nicklaus won the 1965 Masters by nine shots, a record margin of victory that lasted 32 years. His third round of 64, with eight birdies and no bogeys, was amazing. Bobby Jones called Nicklaus's performance "the greatest performance in all of golfing history."

After Nicklaus's great performance in 1965, the Augusta National course was made tougher. But Nicklaus still defended his title in 1966, winning in a playoff. He led the PGA Tour money list again in 1965. In 1965, he won five events and had 23 top-10 finishes.

In 1966, Nicklaus also won The Open Championship in Scotland. This was the only major he had not won yet. This win made him the youngest player, at age 26, to win all four major championships. This achievement is known as the Career Grand Slam. Nicklaus later achieved the double career grand slam in 1971 and the triple career grand slam in 1978. He also helped the U.S. win another World Cup title in Japan.

In 1967, Nicklaus won the U.S. Open for the second time. He broke Hogan's 72-hole record with a score of 275. He finished with a great final round of 65. Sports Illustrated featured him on their cover. He also finished second in The Open Championship and third in the PGA Championship. In 1967, Nicklaus led the PGA Tour money list for the third time. He and Palmer also won the World Cup in Mexico City. For most of his career, Nicklaus's caddie was Angelo Argea.

A Short Dip and Comeback (1968–1970)

After his record-breaking win at the 1967 U.S. Open, Nicklaus did not win another major until the 1970 Open Championship. His ranking on the Tour money list also dropped. However, he still finished second in the 1968 U.S. Open and the 1968 Open Championship.

Nicklaus played in his first 1969 Ryder Cup at age 29. The competition came down to the final match between Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin. Nicklaus made a five-foot putt on the last hole. He then famously conceded Jacklin's putt, making the game and the overall match a tie.

During this time, Nicklaus gained some weight, which affected his game. After the Ryder Cup, he lost 25 pounds and started playing better. In February 1970, his father passed away. Five months later, Nicklaus won the 1970 Open Championship in Scotland in tough windy conditions. He beat Doug Sanders in a playoff. Nicklaus was very emotional about winning the Open at St Andrews, the "home of golf."

In 1970, Nicklaus also won the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship. He won four events that year and had 14 top-10 finishes. Even with a slight dip in performance, Nicklaus was ranked the No. 1 player in the world for 10 straight years, starting in 1968.

Strong Comeback (1971–1977)

With his win in the 1971 PGA Championship, Nicklaus became the first golfer to win all four major championships twice. He was the only player to shoot under 70 in the first two rounds. He finished second twice and fifth in the other three majors that year.

By the end of 1971, Nicklaus had won four more PGA tournaments. He set a new record for single-season earnings on the PGA Tour. Nicklaus also won his third World Cup individual title and the team competition with Lee Trevino. He also won the Australian Dunlop International. In 1971, Nicklaus won eight events and had 20 top-10 finishes.

Nicklaus won the first two major championships of 1972: the Masters and the U.S. Open. This made people wonder if he could win the calendar-year Grand Slam. He was the only player under par at the Masters. At the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, he hit a famous shot on the 17th hole that landed very close to the cup. This was Nicklaus's 13th career major win.

In 1972, Nicklaus won seven tournaments and finished second in three. However, he did not win the Grand Slam. He finished second in The Open Championship and Gary Player won the PGA Championship. Nicklaus ended 1972 with seven wins and 15 top-10 finishes.

Nicklaus broke Bobby Jones's record for major wins when he won the PGA Championship in August 1973. This was his 12th professional major win. He won six other tournaments that year. He also became the first PGA Tour player to win an event on a course he designed himself. Nicklaus was named PGA Player of the Year for the third time. He was also the first player to earn over $300,000 in a single season. He teamed with Johnny Miller to win another team title in the World Cup of Golf.

In 1974, Nicklaus did not win a major, but he won the first Tournament Players Championship. He was also one of the first 13 people inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He still had four top-10 finishes in the majors that year. He won two events and had 13 top-10 finishes in 1974.

Nicklaus started 1975 very well, winning three tournaments in a row, including the Masters. This was his fifth Masters win, a record he would break later. His 40-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole in the final round was key to his victory. He also won the PGA Championship in August. He was named PGA Player of the Year for the fourth time. Nicklaus also won his fourth Australian Open that year. In 1975, he had six wins and 16 top-10 finishes.

Nicklaus led the PGA Tour money list again in 1976, even though he played in only 16 events. He won two tournaments, but no majors. He won the PGA Player of the Year award for a record fifth time. In 1976, Nicklaus also completed a streak of 105 consecutive cuts made on the PGA Tour.

In 1977, Nicklaus did not win any majors, but he had four top-10 finishes in them. He finished second to Tom Watson at the Masters. His second-place finish behind Watson at The Open Championship at Turnberry was a famous "Duel in the Sun." Nicklaus shot 65-66 in the final two rounds, but Watson shot 65-65 to win.

In 1977, Nicklaus won his 63rd tour event, passing Ben Hogan for second place on the career wins list. He also became the first player to earn over $3 million in PGA Tour earnings. He won his own Memorial Tournament for the first time, calling it the most emotional moment of his career.

Ryder Cup Changes

During the 1977 Ryder Cup, Nicklaus suggested changes to make the competition more exciting. He wanted to include players from continental Europe on the European team. These changes were approved, making the Ryder Cup a bigger international event.

Triple Grand Slam (1978)

When Nicklaus won the 1978 Open Championship at St. Andrews, he became the only player to win each major championship three times. Tiger Woods later tied this record in 2008. Nicklaus considered his performance in the 1978 Open his best ever. He was very proud to win at St. Andrews, his favorite course.

Nicklaus won three other tournaments on the PGA Tour in 1978. He won his third Tournament Players Championship, becoming the only three-time winner of that event. Sports Illustrated named him Sportsman of the Year. He also won his sixth and final Australian Open.

A Brief Slump and Comeback

In 1979, Nicklaus did not win any tournaments, which was unusual for him. He came close at the 1979 Masters, finishing fourth. He also tied for second at The Open Championship. He would not win another tournament until June 1980. Before this, Nicklaus had won at least one PGA Tour event every year for 17 consecutive years, a PGA Tour record.

During the offseason, Nicklaus worked on his golf swing with his teacher Jack Grout. He also improved his short game with the help of his friend and coach Phil Rodgers.

Winning Big Again: 1980

In 1980, Nicklaus had only four top-10 finishes, but two of them were record-setting wins in major championships: the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship.

Nicklaus set a new scoring record for the 1980 U.S. Open with a total of 272. This broke his own record from 1967. This was Nicklaus's second major win at Baltusrol Golf Club. He started with a record-tying round of 63. He beat Isao Aoki by two shots. This was Nicklaus's fourth and final U.S. Open victory, tying him with other golf legends. He called this win "the most emotional and warmest reaction to any of my wins in my own country."

In the 1980 PGA Championship, Nicklaus set another record. He won the tournament by seven shots over Andy Bean. His putting was exceptional. This was Nicklaus's fifth and final PGA Championship win, making him the record-holder for most wins in the stroke-play era. This win also made Nicklaus the only player since 1948 to win both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same year.

1981–1985

Between 1981 and 1985, Nicklaus had seven more top-10 finishes in major championships, including three second-place finishes. He won only two PGA Tour events during this time: the Colonial National Invitation in 1982 and his own Memorial Tournament in 1984.

In 1983, Nicklaus finished second in the PGA Championship and the World Series of Golf. Even without a PGA Tour win in 1983, he finished 10th on the money list. He also became the first player to earn over $4 million in career PGA Tour earnings.

In 1985, Nicklaus finished second in the Canadian Open for the seventh and final time, a record for that event.

During this five-year period, Nicklaus had two great moments in the Ryder Cup. He played perfectly in 1981, winning all four of his matches. He also led the United States team as captain to a one-point victory over Europe in 1983.

Winning the Masters at 46 (1986)

In 1986, Nicklaus achieved one of his most famous victories. He won his sixth Masters title at age 46, making him the oldest Masters winner ever. He shot an amazing six-under-par 30 on the back nine for a final round of 65. He made an eagle, then two birdies in a row on holes 15, 16, and 17. He then made a solid par on the final hole.

This victory was his 18th and final major title. Sports writer Thomas Boswell said it was "too improbable and too perfect." Golf historian Herbert Warren Wind called it "the most important accomplishment in golf since Bobby Jones's Grand Slam in 1930."

Author Ken Bowden wrote that while others might have been better at certain parts of golf, no one combined all the skills and mental strength as well as Nicklaus for so long.

At the 1998 Masters, Nicklaus, at 58, tied for sixth place despite a painful hip. His score of 283 was the lowest 72-hole score at the Masters by a player over fifty for many years.

Over 25 years (1962–1986), Nicklaus won 18 major championships and finished second 18 times. He also placed third nine times and fourth seven times. He had 73 top-10 finishes in majors over 39 years (1960–1998), a record for both total number and how long he kept achieving them.

Senior Golf Career

Nicklaus became eligible for the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) when he turned 50 in January 1990. He quickly won his first event, The Tradition, which was also a Senior Tour major. Nicklaus went on to win The Tradition four times, more than anyone else.

Later in 1990, Nicklaus won the Senior Players Championship by six shots. The next year, in 1991, he won three of the five events he played in. These included the U.S. Senior Open (winning a playoff against Chi-Chi Rodríguez), the PGA Seniors Championship, and The Tradition again. All of these were major championships on the senior tour.

Nicklaus has won all the senior majors except the Senior Open Championship. He did not play in that event until after he turned 60, and it only became a major in 2003. After a winless year in 1992, Nicklaus won the U.S. Senior Open for the second time in 1993.

In 1994, Nicklaus won the Senior PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship. He won The Tradition again in 1995. His 100th career win came in 1996 when he won The Tradition for the fourth time. He even made a double eagle in the final round. This was his last win on the Senior PGA Tour and his last official win of his career.

End of Playing Career

In 2000, Nicklaus played in his 44th and final U.S. Open. He missed the cut at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Before his opening tee shot, Nicklaus asked for a moment of silence to honor Payne Stewart, who had passed away.

Later in 2000, he played in his final PGA Championship. He missed the cut by one shot, just days after his 91-year-old mother passed away. In both tournaments, Nicklaus had exciting moments on the final hole.

Nicklaus played in the 2005 Masters without much preparation. This was a month after his 17-month-old grandson, Jake, passed away. Nicklaus spoke emotionally about the tragedy. His son Steve suggested he return to the Masters as therapy. This was his last appearance in the tournament.

Later in 2005, Nicklaus finished his professional career at The Open Championship at St Andrews on July 15. He said St Andrews always made him emotional and was where he wanted to end his major career. He turned 65 that January, which was his last year to 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 on the 18th hole, he received a long standing ovation. Nicklaus ended his career with a birdie on the 18th green. He missed the cut for the tournament.

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

One memorable moment happened after his retirement. At a course opening in 2010, Nicklaus played with Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Johnny Miller. Miller wondered how to make a very long, uphill putt. Nicklaus walked over, asked, "Want me to show you how to putt it?" and then sank the 102-foot putt perfectly, to cheers from the crowd.

On April 8, 2015, Nicklaus made his first-ever hole-in-one at Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters' Par 3 Contest. He was 75 years old. He had made 20 holes-in-one in professional tournaments at other courses during his career.

Off-the-Course Activities

Golf Course Design

Nicklaus spends a lot of time designing golf courses. His company, Nicklaus Design, is one of the largest golf design companies in the world. Nicklaus sees golf course design as another way to stay involved in the game and a new challenge. His first design, Harbour Town Golf Links, opened in 1969. Another important design was Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, which opened in 1974. This course has hosted the Memorial Tournament since 1976.

His first solo design, Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario, opened in 1976. This course hosted the Canadian Open for many years. The oldest golf club in the U.S., Saint Andrew's Golf Club in New York, was redesigned by Nicklaus in 1983. In 2000, the King & Bear opened in St. Augustine, Florida, a joint project with Arnold Palmer. In 2006, the Concession Golf Club opened, a collaboration with Tony Jacklin, to remember their famous Ryder Cup match.

Nicklaus works with his four sons and son-in-law through Nicklaus Design. By the end of 2005, the company had 299 courses open around the world. Most are in the United States, but they have also designed courses in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Mexico.

Books and Media

Nicklaus wrote a golf column for Sports Illustrated from 1965 to 1971. He has written several golf instruction books, an autobiography called My Story, and a book about his golf course design ideas. He also made several golf videos. His book Golf My Way is a classic golf instruction book. Nicklaus has also written golf columns for Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. He also worked as a television commentator for ABC Sports.

Golf Computer Games

Between 1988 and 1998, Nicklaus lent his name to the popular Jack Nicklaus computer game series. Many of the golf courses he designed were included in these games. Another game, Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge, was released in 1999.

Other Interests

Nicklaus continues to manage the Memorial Tournament, which he started in his home state of Ohio. The tournament is played at Muirfield Village, a course he helped design. The tournament honors people who have made a big impact on golf. It has become one of the most respected events on the PGA Tour.

The Memorial Tournament also supports charities in Central Ohio, especially Nationwide Children's Hospital. It has raised millions of dollars for the hospital's programs.

Nicklaus and his wife Barbara are involved with the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation in Florida. This foundation provides free programs and services to hospitalized children and their families. They started "The Jake," a pro-am golf tournament, in honor of their grandson who passed away in 2005. This event is the foundation's main fundraiser.

Nicklaus also supports the American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Tacoma, Washington. This course is designed for wounded and disabled veterans. Nicklaus donated his design services for new holes at the course.

Nicklaus owns Nicklaus Golf Equipment, which he started in 1992. The company makes golf equipment under different brands for golfers of all skill levels.

He is known for giving advice to younger golfers. In 1984, a teenage Canadian golfer asked Nicklaus for advice. The golfer played left-handed but was told he might be better right-handed. Nicklaus advised him not to change if he was comfortable. That young golfer, Mike Weir, stuck with left-handed play and later became a Masters champion. He still keeps Nicklaus's letter framed in his home.

Nicklaus also has a line of flavored lemonades with Arizona Beverage Company. In 2010, he partnered with Terlato Wines to produce a collection of Napa Valley wines.

Playing Style

During his best years, Nicklaus was known for hitting the ball both long and straight. In 1963, he won the long-drive contest at the PGA Championship with a drive of 341 yards. He preferred to hit a fade (a shot that curves slightly from left to right). This helped the ball stop quickly on firm greens. His fades were long enough to reach long holes in two shots.

Nicklaus could hit the ball very high when he was young. Later, he learned to hit lower shots when needed. He also developed a controlled draw (a shot that curves slightly from right to left).

In 1968, statistics showed Nicklaus led the PGA Tour in driving distance (275 yards) and hitting greens in regulation (75 percent). He was much better than his rivals in these areas.

Even though official PGA Tour statistics were not kept until 1980, Nicklaus consistently led in greens hit in regulation. He was very skilled with long and middle irons. He remained in the top six in this category until 1985. One key to Nicklaus's powerful ball-striking was his excellent swing tempo. Tom Watson said this was Nicklaus's greatest strength, especially under pressure.

Nicklaus was also known for his smart course management. He would plan each shot to land in the best spot for his next shot. He often chose to hit less powerfully to ensure accuracy and a good lie. He could use a 3-wood or 1-iron from the tee for accuracy, and still hit it as far as most rivals' drivers.

Nicklaus was the first player to consistently map out yardages on the course. He was not famous for his short wedge shots, so he often tried to avoid them. Gary Player said Nicklaus had "the greatest mind the game has ever known."

Nicklaus was not known as an amazing putter, but he often made important putts when they mattered most. His rivals respected his putting. He was also a careful player, only taking big risks when necessary. He often chose to be less aggressive on the greens to ensure an easy two-putt.

Awards and Recognition

After his first year on the PGA Tour in 1962, Jack Nicklaus received the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. He won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award five times and topped the PGA Tour money list eight times. He also received the Bob Jones Award and the Payne Stewart Award.

Nicklaus was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in its first class in 1974. He was also inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995. His image appeared on a special five-pound note issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland. This made him the first living person outside the Royal Family to appear on a British banknote. In 1999, he was a finalist for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Century award.

In 2001, Nicklaus received the "Lombardi Award of Excellence." This award honors individuals who show the spirit of Coach Lombardi.

There is a Jack Nicklaus Museum at The Ohio State University in his hometown of Columbus. The museum, opened in 2002, shows Nicklaus's life and career in golf and beyond.

Nicklaus had the rare honor of "dotting the 'i'" in "Script Ohio", the famous formation of the Ohio State University Marching Band. This happened at an Ohio State homecoming game in 2006. It is considered the highest honor for someone not in the band.

In 2008, Nicklaus and Annika Sörenstam were named Global Ambassadors for the International Golf Federation. They helped bring golf back to the Olympics for the 2016 and 2020 Games. Golf had not been an Olympic sport since 1904.

Nicklaus joined Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for the 2010 Masters. Nicklaus became the eighth honorary starter since the tradition began in 1963. The "Big Three" (Palmer, Nicklaus, and Gary Player) were reunited at the 2012 Masters as honorary starters.

Nicklaus is often named the "Most Powerful Person in Golf" by Golf Inc. magazine. He has been number one for a record six years in a row. The magazine noted that he keeps adding to his legend in golf course design and business.

On May 19, 2014, the United States House of Representatives voted to give Nicklaus the Congressional Gold Medal. This award recognized his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship. The bill said his "magnetic personality and unfailing sense of kindness and thoughtfulness have endeared him to millions throughout the world."

He was given the Freedom of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews on July 11, 2022.

Career Achievements

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most PGA major championships with 18 wins. Tiger Woods is second with 15. Nicklaus has the third most PGA Tour victories with 73, behind Sam Snead (82) and Woods (82). He also holds the record for most wins at the Masters (six) and The Players Championship (three).

He played on six Ryder Cup teams and was captain twice. He also captained the Presidents Cup team four times. He topped the PGA Tour money list and scoring average eight times each. For 24 straight seasons, from 1960 to 1983, he had at least one top-ten finish in a major championship, which is a record.

• PGA Tour wins (73)
• European Tour wins (9)
• PGA Tour of Australasia wins (3)
• Other wins (24)
• Senior PGA Tour wins (10)
• Other senior wins (7)

Major Championships

Wins (18)

Year	Championship	54 holes	Winning score	Margin	Runner(s)-up
1962	U.S. Open	2 shot deficit	−1 (72-70-72-69=283)	Playoff1	Arnold Palmer
1963	Masters Tournament	1 shot lead	−2 (74-66-74-72=286)	1 stroke	Tony Lema
1963	PGA Championship	3 shot deficit	−5 (69-73-69-68=279)	2 strokes	Dave Ragan
1965	Masters Tournament (2)	5 shot lead	−17 (67-71-64-69=271)	9 strokes	Arnold Palmer, Gary Player
1966	Masters Tournament (3)	Tied for lead	E (68-76-72-72=288)	Playoff2	Tommy Jacobs (2nd), Gay Brewer (3rd)
1966	The Open Championship	2 shot deficit	−2 (70-67-75-70=282)	1 stroke	Doug Sanders, Dave Thomas
1967	U.S. Open (2)	1 shot deficit	−5 (71-67-72-65=275)	4 strokes	Arnold Palmer
1970	The Open Championship (2)	2 shot deficit	−5 (68-69-73-73=283)	Playoff3	Doug Sanders
1971	PGA Championship (2)	4 shot lead	−7 (69-69-70-73=281)	2 strokes	Billy Casper
1972	Masters Tournament (4)	1 shot lead	−2 (68-71-73-74=286)	3 strokes	Bruce Crampton, Bobby Mitchell, Tom Weiskopf
1972	U.S. Open (3)	1 shot lead	+2 (71-73-72-74=290)	3 strokes	Bruce Crampton
1973	PGA Championship (3)	1 shot lead	−7 (72-68-68-69=277)	4 strokes	Bruce Crampton
1975	Masters Tournament (5)	1 shot deficit	−12 (68-67-73-68=276)	1 stroke	Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Miller
1975	PGA Championship (4)	4 shot lead	−4 (70-68-67-71=276)	2 strokes	Bruce Crampton
1978	The Open Championship (3)	1 shot deficit	−7 (71-72-69-69=281)	2 strokes	Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Tom Kite, Simon Owen
1980	U.S. Open (4)	Tied for lead	−8 (63-71-70-68=272)	2 strokes	Isao Aoki
1980	PGA Championship (5)	3 shot lead	−6 (70-69-66-69=274)	7 strokes	Andy Bean
1986	Masters Tournament (6)	4 shot deficit	−9 (74-71-69-65=279)	1 stroke	Tom Kite, Greg Norman

¹Defeated Palmer in 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus (71), Palmer (74).
²Defeated Jacobs (2nd) & Brewer (3rd) in 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus (70), Jacobs (72), Brewer (78). 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes awarded in this playoff.
³Defeated Sanders in 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus (72), Sanders (73).

Results Timeline

Tournament	1957	1958	1959
Masters Tournament			CUT
U.S. Open	CUT	T41	CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship

Tournament	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969
Masters Tournament	T13LA	T7	T15	1	T2	1	1	CUT	T5	T24
U.S. Open	2LA	T4LA	1	CUT	T23	T32	3	1	2	T25
The Open Championship			T34	3	2	T12	1	2	T2	T6
PGA Championship			T3	1	T2	T2	T22	T3	CUT	T11

Tournament	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
Masters Tournament	8	T2	1	T3	T4	1	T3	2	7	4
U.S. Open	T49	2	1	T4	T10	T7	T11	T10	T6	T9
The Open Championship	1	T5	2	4	3	T3	T2	2	1	T2
PGA Championship	T6	1	T13	1	2	1	T4	3	CUT	T65

Tournament	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Masters Tournament	T33	T2	T15	WD	T18	T6	1	T7	T21	T18
U.S. Open	1	T6	2	T43	T21	CUT	T8	T46	CUT	T43
The Open Championship	T4	T23	T10	T29	T31	CUT	T46	T72	T25	T30
PGA Championship	1	T4	T16	2	T25	T32	T16	T24	CUT	T27

Tournament	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Masters Tournament	6	T35	T42	T27	CUT	T35	T41	T39	T6
U.S. Open	T33	T46	CUT	T72	T28	CUT	T27	T52	T43	CUT
The Open Championship	T63	T44	CUT	CUT	CUT	T79	T45	T60
PGA Championship	CUT	T23	CUT	CUT	CUT	T67	CUT	CUT

Tournament	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Masters Tournament	T54	CUT		CUT	CUT	CUT
U.S. Open	CUT
The Open Championship	CUT					CUT
PGA Championship	CUT

     Win      Top 10      Did not play LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

Tournament	Wins	2nd	3rd	Top-5	Top-10	Top-25	Events	Cuts made
Masters Tournament	6	4	2	15	22	29	45	37
U.S. Open	4	4	1	11	18	22	44	35
The Open Championship	3	7	3	16	18	21	38	32
PGA Championship	5	4	3	14	15	23	37	27
Totals	18	19	9	56	73	95	164	131

• Longest streak of consecutive majors played – 146 (1962 Masters – 1998 U.S. Open)
• Most consecutive cuts made – 39 (1969 Masters – 1978 Open)
• Longest streak of top-10s – 13 (1973 Masters – 1976 Masters)
• At the Open Championship, 1966–1980, Nicklaus finished 15 consecutive years in the top-6. Specifically 1st (3), 2nd (6), 3rd (2), 4th (2), 5th (1), 6th (1).
• At the Masters, 1970–1979, Nicklaus finished 10 consecutive years in the top-8. Specifically 1st (2), 2nd (2), 3rd (2), 4th (2), 7th (1), 8th (1).

The Players Championship

Wins (3)

Year	Championship	54 holes	Winning score	Margin	Runner-up
1974	Tournament Players Championship	3 shot deficit	−16 (66-71-68-67=272)	2 strokes	J. C. Snead
1976	Tournament Players Championship (2)	Tied for lead	−19 (66-70-68-65=269)	3 strokes	J. C. Snead
1978	Tournament Players Championship (3)	1 shot lead	+1 (70-71-73-75=289)	1 stroke	Lou Graham

Results Timeline

Tournament	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
The Players Championship	1	T18	1	T5	1	T33	T14	T29	CUT	T19	T33	T17	CUT	CUT	CUT	T29	CUT					CUT

     Win      Top 10      Did not play CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Senior Major Championships

Wins (8)

Year	Championship	Winning score	Margin	Runner(s)-up
1990	The Tradition at Desert Mountain	−10 (71-67-68=206)	4 strokes	Gary Player
1990	Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship	−27 (65-68-64-64=261)	6 strokes	Lee Trevino
1991	The Tradition at Desert Mountain (2)	−11 (71-73-66-67=277)	1 stroke	Jim Colbert, Jim Dent, Phil Rodgers
1991	PGA Seniors' Championship	−17 (66-66-69-70=271)	6 strokes	Bruce Crampton
1991	U.S. Senior Open	+2 (72-69-70-71=282)	Playoff1	Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1993	U.S. Senior Open (2)	−6 (68-73-67-70=278)	1 stroke	Tom Weiskopf
1995	The Tradition (3)	−12 (69-71-69-67=276)	Playoff2	Isao Aoki
1996	The Tradition (4)	−16 (68-74-65-65=272)	3 strokes	Hale Irwin

¹Defeated Rodríguez in 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus, (65), Rodríguez (69).
²Defeated Aoki with a birdie on the third extra playoff hole.

Results Timeline

Tournament	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
The Tradition	1	1	2	T9	T4	1	1	T25	T25
Senior PGA Championship	T3	1	T10	T9	9	8	T22	T2	T6
Senior Players Championship	1	T22		T22	T6	2	T24	T8	6
U.S. Senior Open	T2	1	T3	1	T7	2	16	T5	T13

Tournament	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
The Tradition	T9	T29	69	T10
Senior PGA Championship	T12	12	WD	CUT	WD
Senior Players Championship	T34	WD		T40
U.S. Senior Open	T21	4		T25
Senior British Open				T14

     Win      Top 10      Did not play CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place. Note: The Senior British Open was not a Champions Tour major until 2003.

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

In Spanish: Jack Nicklaus para niños

• Career Grand Slam Champions
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins
• List of men's major championships winning golfers
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour Champions wins
• List of golfers with most Champions Tour major championship wins
• List of golfers with most wins in one PGA Tour event
• List of golfers with most European Tour wins
• List of golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus
• People on Scottish banknotes