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From Park to Woods: The best at the British Open

By Bill Felber

British golfer Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987), right, congratulating American player Walter Hagen (1892 - 1969) on breaking the record at the last hole at the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, watched by their caddies. Original Publication: People Disc - HH0235 (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
British golfer Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987), right, congratulating American player Walter Hagen (1892 - 1969) on breaking the record at the last hole at the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, watched by their caddies. Original Publication: People Disc - HH0235 (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) /
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Jack Nicklaus celebrates after chipping in a shot during the British Open Golf Championship  held in July 1979 at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. (Photo by Steve Powell/Getty Images)
Jack Nicklaus celebrates after chipping in a shot during the British Open Golf Championship  held in July 1979 at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. (Photo by Steve Powell/Getty Images) /

Best of the British Open: #4

4. Jack Nicklaus, -31.45: Nicklaus first played in the Open in 1962, part of the American wave that followed Arnold Palmer and gave the event true world status. Although the reigning U.S. Open champion, he managed only a tie for 34th. But Nicklaus quickly adapted, finishing third in 1963, second in 1964 and winning in 1966. It was his first of three titles.

His 1966 title came with a narrow escape. Leading by two at the turn during the final round, he bogeyed the11th, 13th and 14th holes. A birdie at the 17th put him back on top, and he beat Doug Sanders and Dave Thomas by one. At St. Andrews in 1970, Nicklaus benefitted from a missed Sanders putt at the final hole, setting up a playoff, which Nicklaus won.

His 1979 victory, also at St. Andrews, came by two strokes over Ray Floyd, Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, and Simon Owen.

Beyond those wins, he finished second an extraordinary seven times, twice missing out by a single shot. In 1972 Lee Trevino edged him out, and five years later he and Tom Watson staged their memorable “duel in the sun” at Turnberry. In 1967 Nicklaus finished two strokes behind Roberto deVicenzo; one year later he came up two strokes short of matching Gary Player.

The 1970s were a decade of Nicklaus dominance at the Open. In those 10 tournaments, he never finished lower than fifth place. Extend that a few more years and you get this nugget: Between 1966 and 1980, Nicklaus’ worst British Open finish was his tie for sixth in 1969.

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