Jack Nicklaus has all the green jackets he needs -- six of them -- but he's not completely finished playing golf at Augusta National during Masters week.
During a national conference call Thursday, Nicklaus said he will play in the Wednesday afternoon Par-3 tournament this year and intends to play for many more years, in part to accommodate his grandchildren who want to caddie for him.
Nicklaus also edged closer to accepting the role of honorary starter on Thursday morning, joining Arnold Palmer, who did it for the first time last April.
"I think that first of all I have to be asked to do that," Nicklaus said of the starter's role. "And I think that I've been told that I would be welcome whenever I wanted to. And I think that Arnold Palmer should have his day for a while. Hopefully, I'll have time to have mine at a later date."
Nicklaus often bypassed the Par-3 tournament during his prime, admitting part of it had to do with being superstitious, knowing no one has ever won the Par-3 event and the Masters in the same year.
He's at a different place in his life and career now and is sure to be featured when ESPN televises two hours of the popular event in April.
Nicklaus said once he agreed to let Jack II's son, Charlie, caddie for him in the Par-3, he started a family trend. Asked how long he will continue to play the event with a 20th grandchild due next month, Nicklaus said, "I'll tell you in the next 20 years."
Friday, February 01, 2008
Nicklaus not done at Augusta
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2 comments:
What a man.... Tiger has a long way to go. 19 runner-ups. 18 will unfortunately go down soon enough. Go Phil.
I think the Masters is all about traditions, so I feel Jack should be at Augusta for any event. I think that itis only fitting to have Jack, Arnie, and Gary Player to officially kick off the tournament each year. Bobby Jones designed Augusta, but Jack owns it, for now. Go Tiger...
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