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Last Updated: Friday, 8 July 2005, 15:54 GMT 16:54 UK

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Jack Nicklaus Open timeline

1963

New kid on the block makes his mark
Having made his championship debut at Royal Troon a year before a 23yearold Nicklaus claims his first podium finish at an Open with a third place at Royal Lytham. The American may have been relatively unknown to British galleries but he had already won a US Open and a Masters and was on the road to usurping Arnold Palmer as golf's number one.

1966

Nicklaus completes the career grand slam
After his third at Lytham and a second at St Andrews in 1964 Nicklaus finally landed the one major he needed for his career grand slam with victory at Muirfield. The Golden Bear now had wins at the Open US Open and USPGA as well as a hattrick of Masters titles. This feat placed him alongside the greatest players the professional game had ever seen Gene Sarazen Ben Hogan and Gary Player.

1970

Sanders slip hands Nicklaus St Andrews victory
After three secondplace finishes in eight Open starts Nicklaus appeared to be heading for a fourth in nine. But Doug Sanders' putting woes at the 18th gift the Golden Bear a second Claret Jug. While many remember the unfortunate Sander's missed tapin Nicklaus was a worthy winner for his consistent excellence.

1977

Watson wins Duel in the Sun
For a man with 18 major titles Nicklaus' haul of three Opens may seem a tad disappointing. But that ignores his consistency in the event seven times second 16 topfive finishes and just how unlucky he was on a number of occasions. There was nothing unlucky however about his runnerup finish at a sweltering Turnberry. Dubbed the Duel in the Sun this famous headtohead went Tom Watson's way by a single shot.

1978

Nicklaus claims St Andrews double
Without a major win since 1975 and still smarting from consecutive seconds at the Open a 38yearold Nicklaus arrived at St Andrews in a determined mood. Once again Tom Watson looked to be his main rival and the reigning champion held a oneshot lead going into the final round. But there would be no repeat of Turnberry's heartache for Nicklaus. Watson slumped to a 76 while the Golden Bear carded a rocksolid 69. A third Claret Jug and a 15th major were his.

1979

Nicklaus denied by super Seve
Having seen off the likes of Arnold Palmer Gary Player Lee Trevino and Tom Watson Nicklaus now faced a new threat to his top dog status. It was at Royal Lytham that a 22yearold Spaniard confirmed his undeniable talent. Seve Ballesteros' skill and imagination thrilled the galleries and consigned Nicklaus to a third secondplace finish in four years. Nicklaus would never go this close again.

1984

Honorary degree for honorary son
With the Open back at St Andrews the town's famous university took the chance to award Nicklaus an honorary degree. Now 44 it seemed the Golden Bear's majorwinning years were behind him. Two years later he would stun the sporting world with a sixth Masters victory. There would be no more Claret Jugs but Nicklaus' place in the Open record books was safe. Between 1966 and 1980 he posted three wins six seconds two thirds and no finish worse than sixth.

2000

Jack graces Millennium Open
After 35 straight appearances in golf's oldest major Nicklaus skipped the 1998 and 1999 Opens. But there was no way creaking joints were going to stop him from playing in the Millennium Open at St Andrews. The 60yearold legend missed the cut but it was fitting that he was in attendance to see Tiger Woods the man most likely to challenge his major victories record win his first Open title.

2005

Golden Bear makes farewell tour
Now 65 Nicklaus is bringing down the curtain on a remarkable career. His Open legacy is assured and he still holds a number of records including the most topfive finishes 16 and rounds under 70 33. But having said goodbye to the galleries at his beloved Augusta in April the master is now ready to bow out at St Andrews. It is unlikely British fans will ever see a better player.

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