Jack Nicklaus

Before Tiger Woods came along to re-define whatChampionship once while he was still a student at
golf dominance is all about, the man who used toOhio State University.He made his pro debut in 1962
stand head and shoulders over everybody else in theand went on to win 18 major tournaments (three
world of golf was Jack Nicklaus. They called him "TheBritish Open Championships, four U.S. Opens, five
Golden Bear" and his shadow loomed large overPGA Championships, and six Masters) a record that
professional golf, specifically on the PGA Toiur forstill holds to this day, despite the recent assault of
over two decades, from the sixties to theTiger Woods on the record books. Nicklaus is only
late-eighties. After retiring from the Tour, he thenone of five golfers to win all four majors golf
lorded it over the Champions Tour for retired golftournaments in their career (the "Career Grand Slam"
pros, from the late-eighties to the nineties. Woodsas it is known). He is only one of two golfers (the
may be closing the gap fast but, for now, the Goldenother being Tiger Woods) who has won all four
Bear is still widely regarded as the greatest golfer ofmajor tournaments more than once. However, he
all time.Born in Ohio, Nicklaus attended public schoolsstands alone as the lone golfer to ever win all four
as a young child and had to overcome a mild case ofmajor tournaments at least three times. Nicklaus also
polio. He started playing golf at the age of 10 andowns the distinction of being the oldest player to
shot a score of 51 for his first nine holes, which isever win The Masters which he set in 1986 at the
phenomenal for a first timer, whether adult of child.age of 46. Overall, Nicklaus won 46 top-3 finishes in
He won the Ohio Junior State title at age 12 andmajor tournaments (including 19 second-place finishes
went on to win the same title five more times. Heand nine third-places), 56 top-5 finishes, and 73 top-10
won the US Amateur title twice and an NCAAfinishes.