Jack Nicklaus has little to prove in the world of golf, as he is one of the sport’s leading legends. However, the Golden Bear just established that at 85 years old, he is far from finished as a golfer.
Nicklaus made a surprise appearance at the TPC San Antonio during the second round of the Valero Texas Open. Naturally, those in attendance jumped at the chance to get as much of his wisdom as possible, and the legend did not disappoint.
The 18-time major winner gave a master class in putting that was as brilliant as a lesson can be. It took Nicklaus less than two minutes to practically demonstrate how to read the green they were on and explain it to his impromptu audience.
“I see this. The hill here, it looks like it’s going to move off that way,” Nicklaus said, pointing to his right.
“I would say this putt probably goes a couple inches to the right, maybe not quite that much. Champion [the grass present on that particular green] usually doesn’t break as much as some of the other grasses.”
“It’s a little bit uphill right here, but that’s maybe a little deceiving because [close to the pin] that’s downhill. So we’ll just sort of try to compromise somewhere in the middle.”
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Then came the moment that makes legends. Not content with explaining his reading of the green, Nicklaus demonstrated the execution of a 10-foot putt following that reading. His execution was perfect, and the ball went cleanly into the hole.
The putt is even more remarkable when you consider that Jack Nicklaus had never been to TPC San Antonio before.
This feat is reminiscent of another very famous one that Nicklaus himself pulled off at the 2010 Senior PGA Championship. On the 10th hole at Harbor Shores, Johnny Miller had a 30-foot uphill putt in front of him that completely stumped him.
Nicklaus asked him if he wanted to demonstrate how to make the putt, and he immediately stepped behind the ball. In less than 30 seconds, he read the green, struck the ball and made the putt.
Jack Nicklaus’ putting stats during his professional career are not available due to the era in which he played. However, the 73-time PGA Tour winner is widely regarded as one of the best putters of ever.
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