There is a reason Jack Nicklaus is considered a golf icon. For decades, he has been credited with helping to put a spotlight on golf. When people question whether golf is a real sport, there are countless examples of Nicklaus, Palmer, and more who have pulled of wins that the average player could only dream of. Today’s professional golfers looked to them for mentors as they too hoped to one day compete in the same ranks.
In a special tribute segment recognizing the accomplishments Nicklaus has achieved in his long and glorious career. The pros had countless stories of how the legend has touched their lives in one way or another.
During the interviews, John Daly was one of the many famous faces who spoke about his favorite moment with Nicklaus. While Daly followed a completely different career path, he has made his own mark in the golf world.
Daly’s memory of Nicklaus comes from a professional tournament, which highlights why Nicklaus is who he is today.
John Daly shares his favorite Jack Nicklaus memory
Nicklaus and Daly were both active during the 90s, which is why Daly recalled their time playing at Doral in 1994. “I got paired with Jack at Doral one year. It was great to play a tournament round with Jack Nicklaus,” he said.
He explained that he hit a good drive off the tee, and only had one eight-iron left into the green. “Jack shanks a 4-iron that goes about 20 yards into the right-hand rough. Then he takes out a 6-iron and hits it to within a foot of the hole. Ends up tying me,” Daly added. He explained that it showed how great Nicklaus was back then, to make it back from a shot like that.
“It was one of the greatest holes that I’d ever played”.
Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Patrick Cantlay, Bubba Watson, and Barbara Nicklaus are other PGA Tour stars who spoke.
A look at their PGA Tour careers
Daly, who is known for his colorful pants and personality today; made his presence with the 1991 PGA Championship win. He has won five events in total, two of which are major championships. His second win was the Open Championship in 1995. Daly’s Champions Tour debut was in 2016, his sole win the Insperity Invitational in 2017.
Nicklaus, on his end, turned professional in 1961. The legend won 73 PGA Tour titles, including 18 major victories. While he did play on the PGA Tour Champions, winning 10 titles, he retired from golf in 2005. His last major win was in 1986 (The Masters).
Read the original article on Essentially Sports.
