PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the site of his first career victory, and what a win it was. Jack Nicklaus beat Arnold Palmer miles from his home in the toughest test for golf annually. Now 85 years-old, and getting set to host his tournament in Columbus for a 50th year, Nicklaus told a story few have heard about playing Oakmont Country Club.
“It’s a very stern test,” Nicklaus said Tuesday about Oakmont. “It’s a tough test.”
He would play there in four US Open’s over his career. Beyond the win in 1962, he finished tied for fifth, with Palmer, in 1973 at even par. In 1983 finished 43rd , and played in Palmer’s final national championship at Oakmont in 1994. At age 54, Nicklaus was a shot behind the leaders after round one and tied for fifth going into the weekend before struggling Saturday and Sunday in near 100-degree heat finishing tied with Jim Furyk and Davis Love in 28th place.
The run of 18 majors championships started in June of 1962, the up-and-comer from Ohio took on the King. Palmer was tied for the lead after the first three rounds and led Nicklaus by two going into the final round Saturday afternoon. They played 36 holes on that Saturday and after the day was over, both were one-under par.
They would return on Sunday for an 18-hole playoff and it was what happened before that round started that sticks out to Nicklaus in a little told story.
“Arnold was very gracious,” Nicklaus said. “He was the favorite. It was his home town. There is a picture of Arnold coming over to me as I was warming up. He said ‘Jack, you know the purse today from the gate from the playoff goes to the champion (an estimated 10,000 fans attended, decidedly pro-Palmer)’. And he says ‘would you like to split it’? I said, ‘Arnold it wouldn’t be fair to you. I said, ‘you know, I’m just here. I may play well, but I said, it’s not fair to you’. I said we should probably just play for it, because I assumed that he would probably win.”
“Well, or course, I won. I got the gate, $1400 (total),” Nicklaus said laughing.
“I love Oakmont. I think it’s a great place.”
Number 8
Asked about the value of a good, long par 3, Nicklaus immediately thought of number 16 at Cypress and number 4 at Riviera. Asked about the 8th hole at Oakmont, that this year will play 299 yards.
“I haven't played it since they lengthened it to be a short par-5,” Nicklaus said smiling. “But it is downhill.”