2020 Virtual U.S. Open: The favorites to win at Winged Foot
By Bill Felber
Jack Nicklaus, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 (1971-1980), -1.57
In the lengthy history of the Open, no player’s greatness has spanned as extensive a period as Jack Nicklaus. He won his first championship in a 1962 playoff with Arnold Palmer at Oakmont and took his fourth 18 years later in 1980 by two strokes at Baltusrol.
How unusual is that? Consider that among the 20 other players with more than one U.S. Open title, the average span between first and last victory is just five and one-half seasons. Aside from Nicklaus, only one of those 20 – Hale Irwin between 1974 and 1990 — won across a period of more than ten years. Nicklaus’ titles blanketed nearly twice that period.
So it’s no surprise that Nicklaus ranks among the pre-tournament favorites.
Although Nicklaus coupled his four championships with runner-up finishes in 1960, 1968, 1971, and 1982, he was at his best between 1971 and 1980. In some ways, in fact, his rating is hurt by the duration of his excellence.
Were one to disregard the requirement that averages be calculated over consecutive seasons, the standard deviation of Nicklaus’ 10 best Open showings would rise to -2.14, and span 21 years, from his pro debut in 1962 to his 1982 runner-up finish. He would rise to the top of the favorite’s list in this championship, and not by a small amount.
It’s safe to say that nobody in golf history has been as good for as long…nobody but Jack.