He recently talked about hitting a bucket of balls in preparation for the Champions Skins Game, and how sore it left him. Yet, Nicklaus then paired with buddy Tom Watson to win that senior skins last week, ensuring that he'll return in 2011 - "If Tom will put up with me," Nicklaus said.
So Nicklaus is 70, but the numbers that will always be associated with him are 73, 18, 6. As in 73 career PGA Tour wins, 18 career professional majors, six wins at The Masters. The 73 wins are second only to Sam Snead, the 18 majors and six wins at The Masters are records.
And Nicklaus managed to accomplish those feats without a whiff a scandal, while winning (and earning) father of the year awards. Sure, there were financial problems along the way due to some business failings; there was the occasional intemperate comment. Nicklaus was never perfect, and isn't now - but he does seem to have managed to combine greatness in competition with goodness in life better than most other all-time greats in other sports.
Here are a few of the Jack Nicklaus articles and lists on About.com to browse through:
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