Nicklaus turns back the clock
Teamed with grandson, Golden Bear 2 off lead
It’s been awhile for golf’s most prolific champion, but winning never gets old for Jack Nicklaus — even if The Golden Bear has grown a bit long in the tooth and short off the tee.
Playing in a favorable format and teaming with his strapping 16-year-old grandson, Gary “GT” Nicklaus Jr., the 78-year-old Hallof-Famer turned back the clock Saturday at the PNC Father/Son Challenge to end the day in contention.
An 18-time major champion on the PGA Tour and winner of eight Senior Tour majors, Nicklaus was excited to have a chance heading into Sunday’s final round of the 36-hole scramble. He last captured the Father-Son Challenge in 1999 with his son Gary, GT’s father.
“It’s only been 19 years,” Nicklaus said. “We haven’t been in the mix for years.”
Team Nicklaus ended the day two shots behind leaders John and Little John Daly, whose 13-under-par 59 tied the event’s record score at Orlando’s RitzCarlton Golf Club Grande Lakes.
Jack and GT will need a special Sunday to walk away with the Willie Park Trophy, in memory of father and son British Open champions Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr.
At least there is a chance. The last time Nicklaus ended Day 1 of the Father-Son within five shots of the lead was 2013 when he and Gary were two strokes back and finished tied for fifth place.
Asked if his competitive juices would be flowing Sunday, Nicklaus quipped, “Take a guess.”
Playing in the event for the first time last December, Nicklaus and GT were nine shots back after 18 holes. Since then, GT’s golf game has improved considerably, along with the format of the Father/Son.
Tournament organizers decided this year to allow older competitors to play from tee boxes well ahead of their younger partners.
“We talked about this three or four years ago — we can’t compete,” Nicklaus said. “Moving the tees up so we became part of the game was a good decision. We used 2 or 3 of my tee shots today; he hit a couple offline. It allowed me to be in a position to be part of the game.