This story could be a lot longer. Here is the 5-minute Executive Summary post.
Seeing Jack (for the first & probably last time) at St Andrews was the main reason for me and my buddy to go and see the tournament. We got up at 6 & got there in time for his 7.44 teetime on Thursday.
Speaker: From the USA. Jack Nicklaus
Thousands watching: Roar and applauses
We stood parallell to his ball on the fairway.
He came up along the fairway. Same pullower as in his 1978 Open. I really believe he had that very same one.
Watched him set his flying wedges just beautifully, make the classical headturn & hit (what I beleive to be) a vertical hinge shot to the green. Finishing with the clubhead well below his hands. Ball bounced & stopped.
Thousands watching: Roar and applauses
He stepped up to the putt & took his classic stance to the putt. Holed it.
So did Tom Watson.
Watson & Nicklaus. Birdie on first. JACK IS BACK.
Thousands watching: Roar and applauses
Two days passed. Lots of Nicklaus moments on the course I can not take the time to tell about.
About two hours before Jacks arrival to the 18th green we queued up for the grandstand. It was about time. Just 30 minutes later there was not a spot either on the grandstand or on the ground. The 18th was COMPLETELY packed with people. Both sides of the fairway and up to the 17th.
We got a good spot just behind the green and basically under the leaderboard. The sun was burning hard. It was very hot for Scotland. Not a cloud. The '78 sweater was off by now.
He came and he drove the ball. Stopped on Swilcans Bridge for quite some time. You have seen it all.
Came up to his ball. Stood by his drive & wiped his tears. It was a very emotional moment. Not a dry eye among the thousands. For a moment I wondered if he'd be able to get his composure to hit the shot.
The approach was decent by any standards. To about 15 feet(?).
Thousands watching: Roar and applauses.
We were sitting on the perfect spot. The ball was dead on the perfect line between us and the hole.
Hundreds of thousands waiting. All of us wanted him to make it. No one demanded it. Except Jack.
The putt was not straight. Guess he hit it 6 inches left of the hole.
That classical Nicklaus putting pose again.
On its way.
Hundreds of thousands silent. Not a sound.
Looked to be left of the hole before curling left in the end. Looked similar to the famous putts in the famous 1970 battle for the Claret Jug with Doug Sanders. But significantly longer.
(again) Great post metallion. Thanks for sharing, pshr
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