Nicklaus’ 72

A little grammatical humor in the headline here. The Great Jack Nicklaus turns seventy two today (Jan 21, 1940); he didn’t shoot 72 (but I’m sure he’s still can get to even par).

‘72—1972—also was a great season in Nicklaus’ career. He won the Masters and US Open by three shots each, starting talk of a Grand Slam. His performance that US Open may be best remembered for his one iron into the par 3 seventeenth at Pebble Beach which struck the flagstick and ended up three inches from the cup. That title also tied him with Bobby Jones for career Majors (13) and with Walter Hagen for professional Majors (11th).  Then, Nicklaus finished second—one shot behind—to Lee Trevino at the Open Championship.  Player won that year’s PGA.  Nicklaus won seven tournaments, finished second in four and had fifteen top ten finishes.

That season has been written about in the terrific: Tour ‘72: Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, and Trevino: The Story of One Great Season

Happy Birthday to the Golden Bear—Golf’s Greatest.

(BTW, if you ever get the chance to visit the Nicklaus museum at Ohio State in Columbus, do so. It’s terrific.)