AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Jack Nicklaus will give The Masters at least one more shot.
The six-time Masters champion said Monday evening he would play for the 45th time, saying he wanted to fulfill a request by Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson "and a desire on my part."
"I feel like I can play, so I'm going to play," Nicklaus said at the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens, where he received a key to the city of Augusta.
Nicklaus said last month the chances were "between slim and none" that he would play in The Masters. He felt he needed to be with his family as they grieved over the drowning March 1 of his 17-month-old grandson.
He cleared everything from his business schedule and spent the last few weeks playing golf with his son Steve, a therapeutic way to cope with the tragedy.
It was Steve Nicklaus' son, Jake Walter, who drowned in a hot tub.
"I don't have a lot of golf game, but I've played a lot of golf," Nicklaus said. "I'm certainly not in any tournament shape. I don't expect to be in any tournament shape."
Nicklaus, who has dealt with back and hip problems, said his health was good. One of only two former champions who are members at Augusta National, Nicklaus said he played the course two weeks ago and shot 74.
He did not say whether this would be his last Masters.
Nicklaus won his first green jacket in 1963 and got his record sixth Masters title in 1986, shooting a 31 on the back nine to win at age 46. He last made the cut in 2000, when he tied for 54th.
Last edited by ForgedRbest : April 5th, 2005 at 08:30 AM.
Reason: Adding quote function.
I'm so happy for Jack that he's going to get out there and heal with his fans. It's been just such a heartbreaking time for him, but alas, thank goodness there's golf... I thought it was quite touching reading that he and Steve had been playing a lot of golf together to heal....
Although it sounds unrealistic for someone his age to win it, he would be the only guy I would think who could actually pull it off (other than Sam Snead, Vijay, and maybe Tiger depending on if he's still playing golf by that age). But Jack definitely has that magic about him and I think I speak for everyone when I say that I hope he truly does win this whole thing this week! The most important thing is that he's playing, and playing will definitely help with healing the emotional wounds from what has happened...it's also good because if he never played again, then that means that Arnie would have had a proper sendoff and Jack would have just kind of crawled off into a corner...that's NOT how it should be. The man is the best ever and deserves to be treated as such!
I'd love to see Jack do well as I still consider him the greatest ever regardless of how premature the media wants to bestow the title on someone else.
However, after seeing his game today, he is NOT in tourney shape. On #17, he and Player both had to hit fairway metals to get to the green. He is just giving up too much distance even with his extreme local knowledge. I just don't see how he can keep up with the likes of Mickelson, Els and Singh who are all playing well now. One that really looked impressive though was Sergio...he was REALLY swinging well. Ryan Moore looked to be shell-shocked but who wouldn't be playing with Nicklaus, Player and Coody and the Sundayesque gallery that was following them. When they came through Amen Corner, it truly looked as though Nicklaus was fighting for the championship and it was packed 4-5 deep all up 11 and 13 and as they moved through, 14 filled up too...it brought back some great memories of past battles. I wish him all of the luck in the world and would love to see #7/19 but I really don't think that is realistic. If you truly wanted to see the entire golf course gallery free, you only had to follow David Duval...it was actually sad to see how few were watching him.
Back to a past topic but still on the Master's Topic. Can anyone tell me what ball Furyk is supposed to be playing (endorsing) but then I will tell you what he ACTUALLY was playing today...I will have a nice 5X7 when the film is developed to prove it...
Interesting report there JC. Did you get to see any of the "Big Four/Five" and how they were hitting it? I agree that it's great to see Jack playing in the Masters, if only to get a proper sendoff, but also agree that it's unrealistic that he'll have any chance to win. But I wouldn't discount him making the cut...a proper sendoff on a Sunday would be fitting.
I used a SLR Canon EOS today rather than my digital due to the need for a zoom at Augusta. Most of the ropes are set so far out of play that you really need a good zoom to get close, especially on 12 and 13. I will be getting them developed and will post some of the good ones...I did end up taking about 60-72 pictures today and have many from the past 5 tourneys if anyone is interested, I could post a couple in the gallery...actually I do have a great one that I will post in the gallery to start.
Mickelson is stroking it well but I didn't see him other than the Par 3. His putting was HOT though which is great because we all know how well he's been hitting it lately. VJ was NOT hitting it very well today (or it seemed because you never know where they are aiming during practice rounds) because he was not only not close to today's hole location, the guys leave tees in the greens where the flags are traditionally placed for the 4 days and VJ wasn't close to any of those positions either for the 4 holes I saw him on (as many know I am NOT a VJ fan but Weir was playing with him). Weir was hitting it okay...not great but okay. Like I said, Sergio is the "sleeper" because he was hitting it outstanding. On 12, he hit it to about 6 feet and drained it for bird, he missed by inches on #11 but made par and on 13, he hit his approach shot to about 10 feet and drained the eagle. I didn't see him on #14 but on 15 he made birdie and on 16 he just missed the bird. His group had to be playing a money game because they were ALL firing at TODAY'S hole location and then putting to different locations from the center of the green once they had holed out. Oh yeah, his group was Donald and Tim Clark and himself.
Three players to be concerned about their performances...
Floyd (not really a factor anymore) was working HARD with Rick Smith to fix something on the range.
Howell III was working hard with Leadbetter on his putting and wasn't doing too well which can't help the confidence the day before a major.
Westwood worked with Leadbetter for awhile after Howell just in tuning up his bunker play.
Harmon was there but not really working with anyone when I saw him. More posing for pics with kids which I thought was great that the kids were seeking out an instructor as well as the "stars."
Thanks JC...I don't have TGC here so I can't listen to Hewitt and company talk about how so and so are hitting it, so it's good to hear it from someone who actually witnessed it today.
I try to go on a couple practice days only because I am an aspiring shutterbug and can't take a camera on tourney days. The other reason is the tourney rounds I have been to are so crowded and for some reason all of you 6+ feet tall people seem to end up on the ropes leaving those of us you could easily see over our heads (I am 5'7") trying to catch a glimpse in between or I have to position myself when someone I want to see is 2 or 3 holes away.
The other reason is I will be at the MCI next week and The Legend's the following week and don't want to wear myself out at the beginning of the season...lol.
April 5th, 2005, 08:20 AM
thing this week! The most important thing is that he's playing, and playing will definitely help with healing the emotional wounds from what has happened...it's also good because if he never played again, then that means that Arnie would have had a proper sendoff and Jack would have just kind of crawled off into a corner...that's NOT how it should be. The man is the best ever and deserves to be treated as such!
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