The Legacy of Jack Nicklaus: Golfing Royalty

If Jack Nicklaus had risen to popularity in the same period as Tiger Woods, they would have undoubtedly been neck and neck at every tournament. Instead, the two greatest golfers of all time were passing ships at night as far as their careers panned on. Woods lifted his first Open title in Nicklaus's final Open in 2000.

Tiger Woods was a sensational talent and has proven that he can still play the game to a high standard, even after his peak years. Although WGT (World Golf Tour) is now the top video game, this whole genre was pioneered by Tiger Woods in the early 2000s. The PGA Tour game was a successful venture into golf from E.A. Sports, and multiple releases with Tiger on the cover sold millions of units. However, since Tiger has taken a step back as the face of the sport, the game has decreased in popularity, and WGT is now the top golf video game on the market. 

So much so it is now the marquee game for a series of e-sports tournaments. Golf e-sport is a relatively new version of e-sports tournaments, and it doesn't quite grab the headlines like Fortnite does, but it is still a modest market and attracts players from all over the world. 

We're sure if Jack Nicklaus was coming through in today's era, he would have his video game series in a heartbeat. He is widely considered the greatest golfer of all time and has the accolades to back up that statement.

The Formative Years

Golf is considered a sport that appeals to people generally in society's upper echelons. This is understandable, given that golf memberships, lessons, and clubs are expensive. It is a fantastic game and an excellent way to stay in shape, especially in your later years, but it is often not a sport that attracts people from inner cities. 

Nicklaus is of German heritage but was born in Ohio in 1940. His primitive years were spent growing up in Upper Arlington, and his Father was a medical professional with several businesses in the area.

After conquering many tournaments and highlighting his blistering potential, Nicklaus became the first male player to lift the NCAA Championship and U.S. Amateur titles in the same season. This record has since been surpassed, but it has stood the test of time for over 30 years.

During his college studies, Nicklaus didn't have his sights entirely set on golf. He remained amateur, completed his studies, and worked in insurance before the birth of his first child spurred him to turn professional and look to make a name for himself in the ranks of professional golf.

The Beginning of The Legacy

During his first few years as a professional, the quality, potential and precocious talent Nicklaus exhibited had many golf enthusiasts convinced he would rise to world number one in no time. In the 1960s in the United States, the rise of the home television set would help drive the popularity of several industries, and the sports industry benefitted more than most. 

Golf tournaments, such as The Masters, started attracting millions of viewers, and when Nicklaus won consecutive Masters in 1965 and 1966, his popularity ascended into the stratosphere. Despite a dip during the latter end of the 1960s, many still revered him as the greatest player in the world. 

Glorious Return

Following his dip in form in the late 1960s, commentators and analysts questioned whether he had the ability or mentality to return to where he was. However, he answered critics and doubters emphatically when between 1972 and 1976, he scooped up the PGA Player Of The Year award four times and became the first golfer to win all the majors in 2 different years. 

He went one better than this in 1978 when he became the first player to win them all on three occasions. This record has never been beaten since but has been equaled by his formidable adversary Tiger Woods.

By this stage, he had already cemented his legacy as the most outstanding player ever. However, Jack won his fourth U.S. Open in 1980 and then won his sixth Masters in 1986 at the age of 46. 

Despite receiving highly lucrative offers, he is now happily retired, and many golf fans and analysts believe his legacy stands alone. However, many believe he stands shoulder to shoulder with Tiger Woods as the most remarkable men's golf player ever.

Many players would be ecstatic to achieve a small portion of Nicklaus's career achievements. 

Not only did he set the benchmark exceptionally high for all those who followed, but he also pioneered and spearheaded an era that saw golf go from a fringe sport to a popular sport watched by millions on American television during the 1960s and 1970s.

Whether we will see a player of his caliber make so many sensational comebacks throughout their career is a story for another day. However, there's no doubt that Nicklaus will be talked about in golfing circles for many generations.