By TOM HANSON, Naples News
February 14, 2004

The Golden Bear looked like he was caught in one of his own traps.

But, with the magic that has won 18 major championships, Jack Nicklaus wiggled his way out.

Jack Nicklaus tees off on the 10th tee Friday during the first round of The ACE Group Classic at The Club at TwinEagles in North Naples. (Dan Wagner/Naples News)

On his final hole in Friday's first round of The ACE Group Classic, Nicklaus found himself in the monstrous bunker ‹ that he himself designed ‹ in the middle of the ninth fairway. For all intents and purposes, he was dead. His ball came to rest not far from the Nicklaus-trademark raised lip.

But somehow, he scraped it out, put the ball on the green and two-putted to preserve a 4-under 68.

"He hit a shot on the last hole that I don't think many other people could hit," said playing partner Leonard Thompson. "Even he kind of looked at me and winked after he hit it."

Nicklaus was indeed proud of the shot.

"You don't know how good a shot I hit there," Nicklaus said. "I was up against the lip and I took a 5-iron, laid the blade open, and cut it around the nob and put it up on the green.

"It was a hell of a shot. Just in case anyone happened to ride by in a hearse and asked."

At 64, Nicklaus, who is tied for 14th, showed he's still got game.

For the winner of 73 PGA Tour titles, age is just a number. A number he's shooting for.

For the last two seasons, Nicklaus has started every round with his age in mind.

"I started thinking about shooting my age last year in Hawaii," said Nicklaus, who will tee off this morning at 10:30. "Every time I teed it up I thought about shooting 63 and that was my goal. So this year, every time I tee it up I want to shoot 64 or better. Sure it's something I want to do.

"But hopefully it's not like last year when I choked like a dog every time I had a chance to shoot my age. But I don't know how you choke like a dog when you don't shoot 63."

Nicklaus had three chances of reaching his goal in the Champions Tour season-opening event in Hawaii but fell short all three times. Friday, he was still holding hope of reaching his lofty expectations.

"I was thinking I had a chance to get there today," said Nicklaus, who had five birdies on his round. "I was 4-under with four to go and was thinking I could birdie in and get there. I birdied the par 5 to get to 5-under but then I bogeyed the next hole ‹ my only bogey of the day."

Thompson was impressed with Nicklaus' round and showed his appreciation by applauding along with the crowd as the Golden Bear approached the ninth green.

"Jack was winning tournaments when I was in high school and now I get to play with him so it's a big deal for me," Thompson said. "I enjoy playing with him, Arnold (Palmer), Lee (Trevino), Tom (Watson) and any legends of the game. If you're lucky enough to have a job or play a game with the legends of your business, it's a big deal. I don't care what business you are in."

Thompson, too, had an impressive round, firing a 6-under 66. His final putt, from 30 feet, hit the edge of the cup, just missing birdie, which would have put him in a tie for the lead at the time.

But none of the reporters seemed to notice. After Thompson signed his scorecard, not a one of the small mass of journalists asked him a single question.

"I understand," Thompson said. "I wouldn't want to talk to me either if Jack was around."