GOLF: GOLD NICK

Nicklaus Records a Hole-in-One at Pro-Am

By David Mccarthy
Courtesy of the Daily Record

JACK NICKLAUS celebrated a hole-in-one at Turnberry's 165-yard fourth yesterday as he tuned up for tomorrow's Senior British Open.

Nicklaus fired a 66 in yesterday's pro-am - the same score he shot on the final day of the 1977 Open when losing to Tom Watson

The irony was not lost on Jack who joked: "The last time I shot 66 here it cost me the title!"

And Nicklaus was warned that Watson will be gunning for him again this week.

Tommy Horton - the senior tour's leading money-winner - finished top British player at Turnberry 26 years ago.

Now with The Open championship resting in the Cleveland, Ohio home of Ben Curtis, Nicklaus wants to make it a double for his city.

According to Jersey-based Horton, however, the Golden Bear will have to succeed where he failed in '77.

Watson's fine show at Sandwich has proved he can still live with the best.

Horton said: "Did you see how many people were watching Tom Watson last week? Apart from maybe Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, there were as many watching Tom as watching anyone. And that's who we've got to beat.

"There is a lot of quality on the seniors tour but undoubtedly Tom is the man."

Horton has fond memories of the 1977 Open at the Ailsa course, which is being used again this week.

He added: "I was the leading British player here in 1977.

"I stayed in a hotel close by and the owner gave me a case of wine because he had a big bet on me! I was ninth and the year before I was fifth at Birkdale, which was my best-ever finish. Having Jack and Tom here is great.

"This event has £1m in prize money and it has the best players from around the world."

Among the other big names are Craig Stadler and Fuzzy Zoeller, while the main European challenge could come from Irishman Des Smyth.

Spectators should note that Nicklaus and Watson will practise together at around 9am today.