Jack Nicklaus tweets out letter that revealed his professional status
09 Nov 2016
by PGA of America
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Jack Nicklaus
(USGA Photo)
(November 9, 2016) -- Can you imagine a professional
golf world without the game's winningest major
champion of all-time, Mr. Jack Nicklaus?
Neither can we. But, if it weren't for a decision made
with "mixed emotions and considerable thought," we
likely would have never known -- at least to this
legendary extent -- the man affectionately nicknamed
"The Golden Bear."
Monday, Nov. 7, marked the 55th anniversary of the
day Nicklaus made the leap from amateur to
professional golf.
A copy of the letter that Nicklaus penned to then-USGA
Executive Director Joseph Day Jr., dated Nov. 7, 1961,
was shared via the Golden Bear's Twitter account on
Monday:
In the letter, Nicklaus expresses his regret that his
decision to jump to the pro ranks would preclude him
from being able to defend his U.S. Amateur title in
1962... it turned out to be no big deal, as Nicklaus
would claim the first major title of his illustrious career
at the USGA-run U.S. Open in 1962 -- the first of his
record 18 major victories and four U.S. Opens.
Looking back over the last half-century plus and a
record that includes those 18 majors, 73 PGA Tour
victories and countless other records, we'd have to say
that as difficult a decision as it was for Nicklaus to turn
pro, well, he made the right decision.
-Editors Note: Story by PGA.com Senior Interactive
Producer T.J. Auclair