What was Jack’s best year? A Memorial Recap.
Austin Evans recaps Jason Dufner’s win at Memorial this past week and goes into a breakdown of the career of the tournament’s host, Jack Nicklaus.
After two weather delays that saw a firm and fast Muirfield Village
instantly softened, Jason Dufner emerged victorious on Sunday with a three shot win over Rickie Fowler and Anirban Lahiri.
Dufner made a long par putt on 18 to close out the rest of the field in Dublin, Ohio. A duel between Fowler and Dufner stalled late on the back nine when Fowler’s iron play became erratic, costing him several shots. For Dufner, this gives him back to back seasons with a win and adds another high profile victory to a resume that includes five wins and the 2013 PGA Championship.
This week’s host, 18-time Major Champion Jack Nicklaus, was the subject on the mind of many golf fans as he spent a considerable amount of time on the live telecast during his tournament.
Many, but not all, people consider Jack Nicklaus to be the best golfer of all time. Jack’s career is celebrated for his dominance and his achievement of winning majors 24 years apart. His career was consistent throughout, but had a number of comparable peak points. Unlike Tiger, who has a definitive peak statistical year of dominance in 2000, Jack has several career high points to choose from. In honour of his number of green jackets, here are six contenders for Jack’s best season
As much as the 1986 Masters meant to his career, this list only includes full seasons
1963: 25 starts with five wins including the Masters and the PGA Championship.
A 23 year-old Nicklaus backed up his first win at the US Open the year before with a stellar season that saw him become the youngest ever Masters champion. This season proved two important things about Jack. He was the most dominant young golfer since Bobby Jones, and his US Open in 1962 was no fluke.
1966: 19 starts with three wins, including the Masters and the Open Championship to complete Career Grand Slam.
This year was the first year of his career with less than 20 starts, a trend that would continue into the 1970’s. Nonetheless, Nicklaus still won three times and joined two exclusive clubs. Nicklaus became the first person to win the Masters in consecutive years, only matched later by Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. He also completed the career grand slam at Muirfield winning the Open Championship joining Sarazen, Hogan, Player, and later Woods in the rarified club.
1972: 19 starts with seven wins, including the Masters and the US Open.
A year best known for Jack’s 1-iron at the 71st hole of the US Open at Pebble Beach, this was a statistical success for Nicklaus as he topped the money list and had the lowest scoring average. This year was also made famous as Nicklaus made it well known he was attempting to win all 4 modern majors in the same calendar year after winning the first two. His run came up just short after finishing 2nd at The Open to Lee Trevino.
1973: 18 starts with seven wins, including the PGA Championship.
In the wake of 1972’s near Grand Slam, Nicklaus responds with his best season winning percentage (38.89%), best career scoring average (69.81) and another money title. It may always live in the shadow of 1972, but statistically holds its own ground as an incredible year.
1975: 16 starts with five wins, including the Masters and the PGA Championship.
Best remembered for tearing out Johnny Miller (he shot 63 and won a US Open at Oakmont, just ask him) and Tom Weiskopf’s hearts out with a 50 foot bomb on 16 in the final round. He also won the PGA at Firestone, in the most recent major played there until they go back in 2026 to try to get TW out of retirement. Jack also won the money title only playing 16 events which is ludicrous to go along with his 4th multi-major winning season.
1980: 13 starts. Two wins. Two Majors!?! (US Open and PGA Championship)
At the age of 40, Jack turned back the clock after a winless 1979. He won twice, and he certainly made those wins count. He won his second US Open at Baltusrol and fourth overall in a battle over Isao Aoki. He backed that up when he throttled the field at Oak Hill by seven shots to win The PGA, his fifth Wanamaker trophy. This resilient comeback season stands as a testament in showing that you can’t count out Jack. (see April 13, 1986)
Verdict:
Its gotta be 1972. Jack was in his absolute prime physically and mentally. He was able to plot his way around the golf course better than anyone, but also had shots in his bag that no one else alive could pull off. He was also able to pace himself through a season better than anyone ever in terms of peaking for majors even while maintaining a fairly limited schedule.
But the great thing about Jack’s career is that his best season is just one of many highlights and memories we have from his lengthy career. We will undoubtedly remember Jack for his play in 1972, but it’s the totality of his body of work that made him the benchmark of championship golf.
Austin is TheOcho.ca’s golf contributor. He also writes about basketball and guest hosts The Ocho Podcast with Riley when Aaron has something better to do. Follow Austin on Twitter at @austevans24.
