Golf

Nicklaus: British 'will be it'

The Golden Bear says he will end his legendary tournament career in July at St. Andrews, but he has changed his mind before.

By BOB HARIG
Published May 17, 2005

If what he said Monday is true - and with Jack Nicklaus, you do have to leave him an opening to change his mind - then the final walk over the Swilcan Bridge this summer at St. Andrews will be quite the emotional journey.

Nicklaus, 65, said the British Open at the Old Course, July 14-17, will end his tournament career.

As a past champion, this is the last time he can compete in the tournament, which sets an age limit of 65.

"From a tournament standpoint, that will be it for me," Nicklaus told reporters at a promotional appearance in London. Nicklaus said he would play in the occasional skins game or father-son event, but no more official tournaments.

"Why St. Andrews?" he said. "I love St. Andrews. It's been a great part of my career."

Nicklaus often has said the Old Course is one of his favorite venues. It is where he won the British Open in 1970 and 1978, two of his three British victories among 18 major-championship titles.

For years, going back to his 1986 Masters victory at age 46, Nicklaus has threatened to retire, saying he did not want to be a "ceremonial golfer." But there he was, at 58, tying for sixth at the 1998 Masters. He played in all four majors in 2000. He continued to compete in a smattering of Champions Tour events.

Nicklaus has not committed to his own Memorial Tournament on June 2-5, but is expected to do so. He has committed to play June 10-12 in the Bayer Advantage Championship, a Champions Tour event in Overland Park, Kan., that has a pro-am format. Nicklaus is scheduled to play with his son Steve, who will caddie for him at St. Andrews.

"I would love to see Jack continue to play, but if it's true, then we're honored that he chose Kansas City as the last place he'll play an official event in the U.S.," said Bob Burris, tournament director for the Bayer Advantage.

Nicklaus made a tearful exit from the Masters last month, saying he no longer would play that event. But earlier this year, a week after the death of his 17-month-old grandson, Jake, Nicklaus said he would not play the Masters. He changed his mind after Steve, Jake's father, convinced him to play.

A second-round 76 at Augusta National caused him to miss the cut by five strokes.

"That's why I don't want to play golf anymore because that's what I shoot when I'm probably playing well," Nicklaus said. "The only thing good about my 76 in the last round at Augusta was it was the same score I shot in the first round I played there 46 years ago. At least I'm not getting worse."

When Nicklaus walked off the final green, he had tears in his eyes and said afterward he had played his last round in a tournament he won six times.

"I expect I'll be just as emotional at St. Andrews," he said. "I'm a sentimental old fool. I enjoy being a part of history and what's going on, but I don't consider myself competitive anymore.

"Hopefully when I get to St. Andrews, I will have some kind of game. It won't be great, but I hope not to embarrass myself. I will enjoy it."

Nicklaus had figured the 2000 Open at St. Andrews was his last. That year, he made it a point to play in all the major championships one more time. He stopped on the Swilcan Bridge, which is in the 18th fairway, to pose for photos, including one with Steve, who caddied for him that year.

At the time, the next Open scheduled for St. Andrews was not until 2006. But officials of the R&A, the organizer of the Open, moved it up a year, for reasons that included hoping Nicklaus would return.

He will, and perhaps for the last time anywhere in competition.

[Last modified May 17, 2005, 01:37:19]