Nicklaus, Jack William
Nicklaus, Jack William,
1940–, American golfer, b. Columbus, Ohio. He began playing golf at the age of 10 and before becoming a professional in late 1961 was considered by many the greatest amateur golfer since Bobby JonesJones, Robert Tyre, Jr.(Bobby Jones), 1902–71, American golfer, b. Atlanta, Ga. A lawyer, he became a golf devotee. Jones won the National Open (1923, 1926, 1929–30), the National Amateur (1924–25, 1927–28, 1930), and the British Open (1926–27,
..... Click the link for more information. . In his first year as a professional in 1962 he defeated Arnold PalmerPalmer, Arnold,
1929–, American golfer, b. Latrobe, Pa. The son of a professional golfer, he won three regional titles in his youth. Turning professional after winning the 1954 U.S. amateur championship, he won the 1955 Canadian Open.
..... Click the link for more information. in the U.S. Open and won the first World Series of Golf. Capable of hitting drives in excess of 300 yards (270 m), Nicklaus won the Masters six times, the U.S. Open four times, the British Open three times, and the PGA Championship five times, for a record 18 major championships.
Bibliography
See his autobiography (2007); I. O'Connor, Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry (2008).