Go back in time. The year is 1986, and Jack Nicklaus is well into the back nine of his illustrious career. Nicklaus played in his first Masters Tournament as a 19-year-old amateur back in 1959. But that was 27 years ago now.
At age 46, Nicklaus is a legend seemingly caught between waves of golfing generations. Former Champions Gary Player and Arnold Palmer (and the seven green jackets between them) have already missed the cut. Nicklaus, horrible plaid pants and all, hasn’t won a PGA Tour event in more than two years. Heck, he hasn’t even won a major since 1980! Entering Sunday’s final round, Nicklaus trails leader Greg Norman of Australia by four shots. Two-time Champ Seve Ballesteros, Nick Price, and Tom Kite are all still very much in the hunt. And then this happens: