ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- He wanted to make this a competitive golf experience, not a ceremonial one, but by the time Jack Nicklaus reached the famous Swilken Bridge, there was nothing left to do but stop, wave and soak in the cheers.
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| Nicklaus pauses during his final walk over Swilken Bridge. |
This isn't how Nicklaus wanted it to end, of course. He had hoped to play on the weekend, make some kind of a charge in what was likely his final British Open.
But like last month at Pebble Beach, where he probably played in his last U.S. Open, Nicklaus, 60, was unable to muster any magic in his game. His scores of 77-73 were not going to make the 36-hole cut.
So playing the final hole of the Old Course, he stepped onto the bridge, took a look around, had his son and caddie, Steve, join him for the photo opportunity of a lifetime.
"It was with mixed emotions," Nicklaus said. "The walking over the Swilken Bridge and walking up the 18th hole is very nice for the last time, but not on Friday afternoon. It is much the same as the U.S. Open. I just wasn't playing good enough to make anything happen.
"But the reception we got every hole today was very nice. People were terrific. They let me know that they appreciated the good years that I've had in Scotland and they welcomed me back and gave me a very, very nice farewell. It was very, very nice."
Nicklaus won all three of his British Opens in Scotland. The 1966 title came at Muirfield, where he became the fourth and last player to complete a career Grand Slam. The other two were at St. Andrews.
It was only fitting that Tiger Woods waited to tee off on the adjacent first hole as Nicklaus walked off No. 18 to warm applause. Woods is seeking to join Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to win each of the four modern major championships.
Nicklaus achieved more than any player in golf history, competing against the greats of the game from Hogan to Woods. He won 18 professional major championships, a career Grand Slam, 70 PGA Tour titles.
And this year began with so much promise. Nicklaus had looked forward to 2000, saying he would play in all eight major championships on the regular and senior tours. He felt rejuvenated after hip replacement surgery last year. But his game has not come around.
"You just don't put a number on the board anymore," he said. "You feel like you hit the ball decently and you manage to miss enough putts. ... maybe it's the other way around, maybe you don't make enough to putts to put your score at a decent number.
"I've never putted like this in my life. What did I make? I made two putts today, one at 1 and one at 6. That was the extent of my putting. That was a good putting round for me. I made two putts."
This was Nicklaus' 37th British Open appearance, coming at St. Andrews where he won in a playoff over Doug Sanders in 1970 and outright in 1978.
And he had a remarkable run. From 1963 to 1980, Nicklaus finished out of the top five just twice. He had 13 top-threes.
"I have some wonderful memories from here," Nicklaus said. "I really was in contention virtually every year. I had some great times, great memories of playing, and the galleries have always treated me fantastically here. It has been a great place to play golf. I've always enjoyed it. It has always been my favorite event."
Bob Harig, who covers golf for the St. Petersburg Times, writes a column every Tuesday for ESPN Golf Online.
Jack Nicklaus has fond memories of the British Open.