Jack Nicklaus (Following the final round of the 2009 British Open)

General comments on the Open:

JACK: I don't root for a lot of guys. When I watch golf, I just sort of watch. But I was obviously rooting very hard for Tom. He's a great friend and a great competitor. Barbara and I both wanted him to win. At the same time, I am also very happy for Stewart Cink. Stewart was on several of my Presidents Cup teams. He was a terrific member of those teams, and he has been a very talented and deserving player for a long time. This victory is a stepping stone in his life and it validates his career. I am very happy for him, but unfortunately in this case, well, I was hoping for one of the old folks to finish it off.

Someone asked me, 'What will Tom take away from this?' My guess is it is the same thing I took away from 1977. When people ask me what I remember most about 1977, I tell them, "I remember I lost." Knowing Tom, I think he will say the same thing, if he hasn't already.

Tom should be so proud of himself. I know he's not happy, but he should be so pleased about his performance. He was one shot out of the lead after the first round, tied for lead after the second round, and in the lead after the third round.

Tom handled himself beautifully all week; he handled himself well the entire time. He knew he wouldn't play every shot perfectly, but he just moved on and played the next one. He showed a lot of class.

This was absolutely Tom Watson's Open, win or lose.

Tom long ago secured his legacy in the game. This would have been something to add to the top of the cake.

On the final hole of regulation:

JACK: What I felt so bad about on 18 was that Tom played a really good tee shot, a really good second shot, and he came about six inches from winning the tournament. The ball rolled into a very awkward place to get it up-and-down from. It wasn't a mental error; it just happened. He then played the shot he should play in that situation, because if he tried to chip it, there's a chance he could have taken a 6. But the ball didn't come out the way he wanted to. It just went too far and he missed the putt. He just hit a bad putt. In that type of situation, unfortunately, it's very excusable. I know it's not what he wanted or expected to do. You saw his expression after he missed the putt. It was like, 'Oh boy.' He laughed and that was it.

I felt terrible for him. I felt badly for him.

On the playoff:

JACK: I was hoping he would gather himself. It was quite obvious in the extra holes, Tom was spent. On the 5th hole, the first hole of the playoff, it looked like Tom hit a good shot and it just came up short and he bogeyed. After that, it looked like he was spent.

I don't think Tom was tired. Tom's very fit, so I don't think he would get tired in that situation. But emotionally, he was spent. All his emotions were spent in those first 18 holes. They described correctly on TV: When Stewart made birdie at 18 and then Tom made bogey at 18, it just goes right through you. You try to come back and grab for more energy, but....

Q: When Cink made his putt at 18 in regulation, he became the sixth different person to hold or share the lead Sunday. Did you feel that kind of back-and-forth, crowded leader board played into Tom's hands, as he seemed very calm, serene and under control all day?

JACK: Tom knew he was going to make bad shots, he knew he was going to make some mistakes, but he always knew everyone else would make some mistakes. Because of the situation, a pressure situation, Tom thought he could count on more mistakes from them than him. When you look back on it, had Stewart not birdied 18, he still would have won the golf tournament, even with the bogey.

Q: Tom said that when he plays a course like Augusta, he feels like a ceremonial golfer. But at a place like Turnberry, he feels like he has a chance. What is it about links golf and Tom, or why does links golf give a 59-year-old a chance?

JACK: Tom will have a chance next year at St. Andrews, too. With links golf, you don't have to hit it far. With links golf, it's not about power, it's about accuracy.