THE GREATEST MOMENT IN SPORTS HISTORY
For reasons that are not entirely clear, aside from the fact that Internet lists seem to be irresistible, Sports Illustrated put out its 100 Greatest Moment in Sports History in March. No prize for guessing what an American publication would choose for No. 1. That would be the “Miracle on Ice,” the U. S. hockey team’s victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Jackie Robinson breaking the colour barrier in Major League Baseball was No. 2, which is almost as mandatory, but sometimes replaced in American eyes by Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics ( that came in No. 3). You get the picture: America vs. Soviets, America vs. racism, America vs. Nazi Germany — it’s the greatest moments in political sports history.
For sports moments of l ess political import, we get Muhammad Ali, of course — The Thrilla in Manila over Joe Frazier ( No. 5) and the Rumble in the Jungle over George Foreman ( No. 14). But what caught my eye was that SI put Tiger Woods’ debut at the Masters in 1997 at No. 7 and Jack Nicklaus’ last Masters victory in 1986, when he won at age 46, at No. 17. That makes the entire list suspect, as the 1986 Masters — the 30th anniversary of which will be celebrated this week at the Augusta National in Georgia — is more likely the greatest moment in sports history, period.
The combination of sheer improbability, masterful performance, historic importance and noble character make it hard to match. The Bear roared again at golf ’s most hallowed ground — with apologies to the Old Course at St. Andrew’s — and it lifted up everyone who desired to celebrate excellence in both sports and in sportsmen.
In 1986, Nicklaus was six years removed f rom his l ast major championship. He could still play, but no one thought he could win. Then he shot seven under par over the last 10 holes on Sunday to pass eight players and win his last and sweetest major victory. The galleries at Augusta shouted themselves hoarse for him and the golf world cried tears of joy. A good man had done a great thing.
Nicklaus’ achievement was all the greater for whom he beat. Of the eight players he overtook on Sunday, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Price, Bernhard Langer, Tom Kite and Greg Norman all went on to win majors, nine in the sub- sequent seven years. Fans witnessed, not a walkover, but an epic battle.
“I’ve never, ever heard golf fans react the way they did that Sunday,” remembers long- time broadcaster Verne Lundquist. “And nothing has ever come close, not even with Tiger Woods.”
Yes, Tiger. For many years there was a debate about who was the greatest golfer ever — Tiger or the Golden Bear. It was always premature, for Tiger’s dominance stretched about a dozen years, give or take. Nicklaus won his record 18 majors over 24 years and, had he faced the lack of quality opposition that Tiger did, he would have certainly won 25 majors, perhaps even 30. There was no Arnold Palmer, Gary Player or Tom Watson to thwart Tiger at the top of his game. Consider that i n major championships, Nicklaus finished first 18 times, second 19 times and third nine times. With four majors a year, that is the equivalent of playing for 12 straight years and only missing the top three twice. As an encore, Nicklaus finished sixth at the Masters in 1998 — at age 58.
Sports Illustrated had a cover story last week asking what happened to Tiger Woods — apparently the “most vexing question” in sports. It’s not that vexing. Tiger’s dominance diminished as injuries took their toll, partly because he insisted on playing a physically demanding style — he was a pioneer in weight training — that put enormous stress on his back and joints. Back in 1985, when Nicklaus thought his peak days may be over, he dropped down to 170 lb., but realized he couldn’t play golf at that weight. In 1986, he went back up to 190 lb. and won the Masters.
The cover story suggests that Tiger’s descent into scandal was a desperate attempt to escape the burden of being Tiger Woods. Perhaps. Numerous accounts of Tiger over many years, aside from the aggressive philandering, portray him as simply not a good man. Self- absorbed, profane, shallow, arrogant, and lacking in basic manners and generosity — I suppose anyone would get tired of being Tiger Woods.
Nicklaus will be back at Augusta this week, hitting the ceremonial first tee shot, and basking in reminiscences about that magical afternoon 30 years ago, when, with his son serving as his caddy and his mother in the gallery, golf ’s most beautiful setting produced sports’ most beautiful moment.
THE GALLERIES AT AUGUSTA SHOUTED THEMSELVES HOARSE FOR HIM AND THE GOLF WORLD CRIED TEARS OF JOY. A GOOD MAN HAD DONE A GREAT THING.