Jack Nicklaus: Encyclopedia II - Jack Nicklaus - Final Tournament

Jack Nicklaus - Final Tournament

Nicklaus played without much preparation in April 2005 at The Masters, a month after the drowning death of his 17-month-old grandson Jake (child of his son, Steve) on March 1, 2005. He and Steve played golf as therapy for their grief following the death. After days of playing, it was Steve who suggested his dad return to The Masters. He made that his last appearance in the tournament. The last competitive tournament in which Nicklaus played in the United States was the "Bayer Advantage Classic" in Overland Park, Kansas on June 13, 2005.

However, Nicklaus finished his professional career at The Open Championship at St. Andrews on July 15, 2005. He played with Luke Donald and Tom Watson in his final round. On the 18th hole, Nicklaus finished his career with a bang by putting a birdie. He finished the round at even par and missed the cut at score of +3. After hitting the final tee-shot of his career, he strolled to the Swilcan bridge on the 18th and waved to the crowd (who gave a ten-minute standing ovation) before posing for commemorative photographs with his son and caddy, Steve, as well as Donald and Watson.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Final Tournament", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki