Open Greats

Arguably the greatest player in history, Jack Nicklaus has certainly left an indelible mark on The Open.

Three of the Golden Bear’s record 18 major titles were won on two of Scotland’s greatest golf courses, including the Home of Golf itself – St Andrews, where he succeeded twice.

Nicklaus’ consistency was simply remarkable. He was a runner-up at The Open a record seven times, had 11 straight top-five finishes between 1970 and 1980 and boasts a record 18 top-10 placings.

Nicklaus won his first Claret Jug in 1966 by one stroke from Doug Sanders and Dave Thomas, his win completing the first of three career Grand Slams.

Four years on, he beat Sanders again in an 18-hole play-off at St Andrews, after his rival agonisingly missed a three-foot putt to win on the 72nd hole.

Nicklaus returned to the Home of Golf to win again in 1978, 12 months on from his most famous near-miss at The Open.

In 1977, Nicklaus and Tom Watson both played spellbinding golf on an absorbing final day at Turnberry, thrilling fans in a contest that subsequently became known as the Duel in the Sun.

Watson eventually won under clear blue skies but the quality of golf from both players and the drama that played out on Scotland’s west coast has gone down in Open folklore.

Nicklaus was on the wrong side of the result, but a quick look at his career record shows that was a rarity.

Fittingly, his final act at The Open was a successful birdie putt on the 18th green of the Old Course at St Andrews, converted to enormous applause from an adoring gallery.

Jack Nicklaus’ record at The Open

1962 | Royal Troon

Position: T34

Score: 305 (80, 72, 74, 79)

1963 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: 3rd

Score: 278 (71, 67, 70, 70)

1964 | St Andrews

Position: 2nd

Score: 284 (76, 74, 66, 68)

1965 | St Andrews

Position: T12

Score: 294 (73, 71, 77, 73)

1966 | Muirfield

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 282 (70, 67, 75, 70)

1967 | Royal Liverpool

Position: 2nd

Score: 280 (71, 69, 71, 69)

1968 | Carnoustie

Position: T2

Score: 291 (76, 69, 73, 73)

1969 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T6

Score: 285 (75, 70, 68, 72)

1970 | St Andrews

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 283 (68, 69, 73, 73)

1971 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T5

Score: 283 (71, 71, 72, 69)

1972 | Muirfield

Position: 2nd

Score: 279 (70, 72, 71, 66)

1973 | Royal Troon

Position: 4th

Score: 280 (69, 70, 76, 65)

1974 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: 3rd

Score: 287 (74, 72, 70, 71)

1975 | Carnoustie

Position: T3

Score: 280 (69, 71, 68, 72)

1976 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T2

Score: 285 (74, 70, 72, 69)

1977 | Turnberry

Position: 2nd

Score: 269 (68, 70, 65, 66)

1978 | St Andrews

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 281 (71, 72, 69, 69)

1979 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T2

Score: 286 (72, 69, 73, 72)

1980 | Muirfield

Position: T4

Score: 280 (73, 67, 71, 69)

1981 | Royal St George’s

Position: T23

Score: 290 (83, 66, 71, 70)

1982 | Royal Troon

Position: T10

Score: 288 (77, 70, 72, 69)

1983 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T29

Score: 285 (71, 72, 72, 70)

1984 | St Andrews

Position: T31

Score: 288 (76, 72, 68, 72)

1985 | Royal St George’s

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 152 (77, 75)

1986 | Turnberry

Position: T46

Score: 298 (78, 73, 76, 71)

1987 | Muirfield

Position: T72

Score: 302 (74, 71, 81, 76)

1988 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T25

Score: 288 (75, 70, 75, 68)

1989 | Royal Troon

Position: T30

Score: 286 (74, 71, 71, 70)

1990 | St Andrews

Position: T63

Score: 289 (71, 70, 77, 71)

1991 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T44

Score: 285 (70, 75, 69, 71)

1992 | Muirfield

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 148 (75, 73)

1993 | Royal St George’s

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 144 (69, 75)

1994 | Turnberry

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 145 (72, 73)

1995 | St Andrews

Position: T79

Score: 296 (78, 70, 77, 71)

1996 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T45

Score: 285 (69, 66, 77, 73)

1997 | Royal Troon

Position: T60

Score: 293 (73, 74, 71, 75)

2000 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 150 (77, 73)

2005 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 147 (75, 72)