Jack Nicklaus performance till 1966 (part 3)
During his first year as a professional player, Nicklaus came third on the PGA Tour money list and was awarded Rookie of the Year. He was also triumphant at the World Series of golf. This was the first time the series took place
and consisted of all major champions of the year. That win awarded him an extra $50,000.
A year later, he won two of the four major championships. These triumphs made him the-then youngest winner of the Masters and third youngest winner of the PGA Championship. Two major wins and that too in his second year as a professional
was truly an amazing feat to accomplish. It was also in 1963 that Jack injured his left hip, something that would really bother him in the years to come. This injury led to him improving his swing which assisted him in drawing the 1963 Masters.
Nicklaus won three events that year including the Tournament of Champions. All this success hence led him to finish second on the money list. Arnold Palmer, the leader of the list was just $100,000 ahead. Nicklaus paired with Palmer
to win the Canada Cup in France.
Even though he didn’t win any major championships in 1964, he led the PGA money list for the first time in his career. There was a very tiny margin of $81.13 over Palmer. At the Open Championship, he established a new record for
the lowest score in the final round. Despite the record setting finishes, he finished second place to Tony Lema.
Out of the 31 events he played in 1964, he had six wins, seven runner ups and came in the top five twenty one times and the top ten twenty one times. Nicklaus, only missing the cut once during the year, paired with Palmer again
to have US win the World Cup in Hawaii.
Jack won the Masters in 1965 and 1966 and was the first player to do so. During the 1965 tournament, Jack hit 62 of the 72 greens in regulation and had 123 putts. This was enough and got him to win by nine shots over Gary Player
and Arnold Palmer. This also set a record for the highest margin of victory which was repeated by Tiger Woods in 1997. That week, he also played an amazing round with eight birdies and no bogeys.
"I had never before and have never since played quite as fine a complete round of golf in a major championship as I did in the third round of the 1965 Masters,” said Jack Nicklaus.
This round remained intact until Nick Price posted a 63 during the third round in 1986. After his performance that year, even Boby Jones acknowledged the players amazing golfing skills saying that he has given the greatest performance
in all of golfing history. After his record in 1965, changes were made to the Augusta National to make it a more difficult course. Even with the alterations and the horrible weather in 1986, Jack defended his title at the same place with even par aggregate
of 288. It was his win in the 18-hole playoff against Gary Brewr and Tommy Jacobs that gave Jack the 1966 Masters title.
The same year, Jack led the PGA Tour money list and that too with a good margin over Tony Lema. Lema and Nicklaus both played for the World Cup defending America. Even though they tried hard, the duo couldn’t defend the title and
it was taken by South Africa.
In 1966, he won The Open Championship at Muirfiel in Scotland. That was the only major championship he hadn’t win until now. Nicklaus participated in the World Cup yet again that was won by America. He finished off 1966 with playing
22 tournaments worldwide. In that year, he had 4 victories, 4 runner-ups, 14 top-finishes, 16 top-finishes and zero missed cuts.
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