Jack Nicklaus winning the 1986 Masters golf tournament is considered one of the greatest moments in the history of the sport. Nicklaus was 46 years old at the time and many believed that his best years were behind him. However, he played some of the finest golf of his career over the four days of the tournament to claim his sixth Masters title and 18th major championship overall.
Nicklaus started the final round four shots behind the leader, Greg Norman, but he made a charge with birdies on holes 9, 10, 11, and 13 to move into contention. He then holed a remarkable 45-foot putt for birdie on the 16th hole, which is now known as the “shot heard ’round the world,” to take the lead.
Despite a bogey on the 17th hole, Nicklaus held his nerve and parred the 18th to finish with a score of 65, 6-under-par for the day and a total of 9-under-par for the tournament. This was good enough for a one-shot victory over Norman and Tom Kite.
Nicklaus’ victory in 1986 made him the oldest winner of the Masters and at the time, the second-oldest winner of a major championship, behind only Julius Boros, who won the PGA Championship in 1968 at the age of 48. It was also his first major championship win in six years and cemented his status as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
On the eve of The Masters, let’s take a look back at Jack’s amazing performance during his final round at the 1986 Masters golf tournament!
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