NAPLES - Jack Nicklaus had a bit of a bounce in his step on Friday at the Club at Twin-Eagles, a course he designed with son Jackie.
Nicklaus, 64, has shot all four of his official rounds on the Champions Tour in the 60s, including Friday's 4-under-par 68 during the first round of the ACE Group Classic.
"For an old guy, we're doing all right," said Nicklaus, who was six shots behind leader Gary Koch. "I actually hit the ball pretty decently. I didn't do anything exceptionally well, but didn't do anything exceptionally bad. I have no complaints. I'm thrilled to be out here."
Nicklaus said he had thoughts of shooting his age after he birdied his 15th hole to get to 5 under. It is something he has yet to do in an official event.
"I thought about it starting last year in Hawaii when I turned 63," he said. "Every time I teed it up, I felt like I should shoot 63. That was my goal. This year my goal is every time I tee it up to shoot 64 or better. Sure, it's a thing you want to do. Last year, I was choking like a dog every time I had a chance to shoot my age. I don't know how you're choking when you're shooting 63, but it feels like it."
GOING LOW: Lonnie Nielson did not come to the Champions Tour with much success on the PGA Tour. He played full time for six years and earned just $120,000 before becoming a club professional. He earned his way by finishing fourth at the 2003 Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament. The top seven earned full exemptions this year.
"This game tears you down," said Nielson, who shot 63. "You just have to keep building yourself up. It's nice to get another chance on the Champions Tour."
CHIP SHOTS: Age is just a number to Hale Irwin, who turns 59 in June. The all-time leader in Champions Tour victories with 38 shot 65 at TwinEagles, where he won in 2002. He has seven straight subpar rounds here. ... Defending champion Vicente Fernandez shot 72 and was tied for 47th. ... Jay Sigel, 60, led the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions competition for players age 60 and older, a 36-hole tournament within the tournament. Sigel shot 68 and led Graham Marsh and Jim Colbert by one.
