Even when he was finishing 2nd, Nicklaus showed how much of a winner he was. The combination shot out of the gorse and made putt is unparalleled in the game.
as nicklaus was lining up the put, watson's catty turned to him and said that jack wouldn't make it and that watson won. watson said "watch. he'll make it." and true enough, he did.
@RegionRatForever Unfortunately this film doesn't capture the sound of the fellow in the gallery who shouted "it's oreight" as the ball was on it's way
wow. never knew watson hit first (second shot) on 18. just shows the incredible genius and resolve on nicklaus to fight that ball onto the green from a bad lie and then making a three! think it was the 86 open and these two were doing an interview +watching highlights of this duel. jack said all i could do was force him to make his putt. look at the look watson gives him after he makes it. are you kidding me!? great sportmanship after it was over, golf is also still just a game.
Still the greatest head to head paring in the final round of golf in history. My favourite story of this event comes from Hubert Green who finished in third place - 10 shots behind Nicklaus. He maintains to this day that he won the golf tournament he was playing in !!!- Both Nicklaus and Watson were playing a entirely different game on another level.
Watson's putt from off the green made the difference. Also, his decision to go with a one iron on the 18th is something you rarely see nowadays with the pros. I am not sure exactly why the one iron went out of fashion with the top players, but I used to have one in my bag in case it came in handy for par 5 second shots or other situations, because I didn't feel comfortable using woods on the fairway.
What sportsmanship Jack showed with his words at the end and walking off the 18th green with his arm round Tom, congratulating him. This must have been a heart breaking loss for Jack but still he said well played to the victor - and meant it.
Tom Watson said later that he believed Jack was going to make that 50ft putt. Yeah right, lol. Such a BS'er. Did you see the stone look on Tom's face when that putt sank? That 2ft putt he had no longer felt like a tap in.The fact that Jack hacked that ball out the junk and sank a 50ft putt proved he's the greatest ever. He gave you nothing. You had to bring your A-game if you were gona beat Jack. And lets not forget the19 runner ups in Majors! That tells me there was only one guy to beat: Jack.
@cain2335 I could not agree more!! Golfers today have no clue how good these guys were!! What they do today is "Bombs away with "hi-tech drivers"...As Moe Norman said; "What a shame"!!!
When one thinks of the way golf should be played, in all of its aspects from great skill, performance under the incredible pressure of trying to win a major championship, and most of all the fair play and sportsmanship displayed by both players that makes golf so different from other competitive sports, this round of golf between two legendary players stands alone. It IS golf, the way it is meant to be played at it's highest level.
I remember the times Jack lost a major more then I do the times he won. Great moments 1972 British Open 1977 Masters 1977 British Open 1982 US Open. Nothing will ever come close to the 1986 Masters, Nicklaus' last major win. However, my point is, Jack has given us such great moments in defeat. Imagine if he had not competed against Watson who took 4 majors from Nicklaus and Trevino who took 4 majors. Nicklaus was runner-up to Watson and Trevino 8 times combined. Jack could have won 30 Majors
As much as I admire Tom Watson and his play it was clearly Nicklaus who gave away victory with the missed putt on the 17th. Of course, Watson pushed him to his limits, which is something most of us will never be in a position to do - even now when Jack is past 70 :-)
For a long time instructors taught students to have the feeling you were “sitting” on a bar stool. I always believed we should have been teaching people to feel as though you were “leaning” back on a stool. The last thing you would ever want to do is sit in golf. Sitting will cause the golf club to swing too level to the ground in the downswing, and you will have a tendency to hit the ground behind the golf ball. w w w (dot) golferbreak80 (dot) c0m
It's a great pity that Tom Watson did not win the 09 Open at Turnberry. So many hearts were broken as he failed to convert the 8 footer for victory. Yes,his short putts were not good on the last day...his strokes were not authoritative. But we look forward to welcome Tom back at St. Andrews next year and put up another galant show.
Such a shame that Tom couldnt hole out that last putt on Sunday against Cink. I've never experienced such emotion at any sporting event. I had to watch this video to see him win again to try get over the dissapointment.
Thanks so much for posting this video. First time I've gotten to see the famous "Duel in the Sun" and I can definitely see why so many call it one of the greatest battles in golf history.
Two battlers giving it their best, hitting some amazing shots under pressure but also putting everything in perspective with that great display of sportsmanship at the end. Some modern players would do well to emulate their attitude. Play your heart out but understand that it is just a game.You'll enjoy it more
I'm rooting for Tom tomorrow! I would sure love to see him walking up to the 18th green in the lead. Only thing that would be better is if Jack was walking up with him now 32 years later. :)
Great video- Watson was really the only golfer that could stand toe to toe with Jack and win in majors. dlpine71 is right- Watson just lost the ability to consistently hole the 4-6 footers by his mid-30's otherwise he could have won a few more majors.
To me, this heart-stopping match between 2 great players called 'Duel in the Sun' remains the greatest round of golf in history until today. Anyone out there disagrees?
I agree. This is probably the best as far as great duels. The closest I can think of in recent memory was the Tiger Woods/Bob May duel in the 2000 PGA.
watson and nicklaus were playing their own match-play tournament while the rest of the field was playing stroke-play. hubert green - who finished third - has said he 'won' the tournament -- and that watson and nicklaus were playing at something else in the 1977 british open, finishing ten and eleven strokes ahead of green.
@Fairandjust I totaly agree. They left the rest of the field in the dust. Hubert Green, who came in 3rd, put it best, "As far as I am concern, I won this golf tournament. I have no idea what kind of game those two were playing."
@Fairandjust They were 2 magnificent birdies up the last in the circumstances. Only thing that comes close in a 2 man shoot out was maybe Ballesteros vs Price in '88 Open or Woods vs May for 2000 USPGA. For all time thrill though form me would put the '86 US Masters above them all - Nicklaus, Balltesteros, Norman and Kite all had great chances
I've always believed - had Watson been a better putter, his name would be up there with Nicklaus, Palmer and the rest. He was such a great ball striker, but that putter of his - it just cost him.
watson was always regarded a very good and bold putter. his putting actually started failing him in the mid to late eighties, cutting short a brilliant career. even so, his name is up there with palmer and nicklaus. noted golf instructor jim mclean regards watson as the best putter ever. johnny miller has said that only tom watson and jack nicklaus at the height of their careers could put fear into tiger woods and stare him down today.
I was in the granstand and watched the Nicklaus putt roll in, I was 14 at the time and the atmosphere was electric. Had been to Troon a few years earler to see Weiskopf lift the claret jug and have been to many more British opens since.
I know on the 71st hole, Jack missed a five-foot putt that hurt. However, I agree the 35-foot putt he then made on the 72nd hole is the greatest putt in major championship history. Best match ever played. Period. And the first time 270 was broken for 72 holes in a major! Jack being the first to do that and to finish second.
I loved Hubert Green's comment when it was over (after finishing third - 10 shots behind Jack), "I won the tournament. I don't know what those two were playing."
Ha Ha Ha - excellent comment, particularly the Hubert Green quote. Quite definitively - the greatest "match" ever contested - and in a stroke play context as well, not to mention taking in to account the small matter of the fact that they were playing for the title of British Open Champion. Two great champions making the tournament their own and reducing a (obviously) world class field to the status of bystanders. Thanks to nldhstn for posting.
wow, thats the first time I've seen that putt....def up there for best ever....maybe Rocco at 95' open though??? anybody?? but I guess Jack had a remarkable second, not like Rocco's flubbed chip previous to his putt ;)
i think Nicklaus had better putts in majors himself. 16 at augusta in '75, 17 at augusta in '86. 18 at Baltusrol in '67 to get up and down from 235 yds for the (then) U.S. Open scoring record. 17 at Baltrusol in '80 to close out Aoki. Tiger at 18 in reg. at the U.S. Open last year was pretty sweet, along with those three eagle putts. This is just vintage Nicklaus, though. Refusing to give in, even when the opponent is 18 inches from victory. Best ever. Then, Tiger, but that should change
This was way better then any tournament Tiger played. All Tiger's competition does is melt under the pressure, but Watson made several great putts and shots to win.
Nicklaus' birdie put on 18 was the greatest put ever made in Major championship golf. Gary Player says Jack Nicklaus is "the greatest loser in golf history" Of course meaning Jack is a great sportsman.
Even when he was finishing 2nd, Nicklaus showed how much of a winner he was. The combination shot out of the gorse and made putt is unparalleled in the game.
DAsh62281 5 months ago
as nicklaus was lining up the put, watson's catty turned to him and said that jack wouldn't make it and that watson won. watson said "watch. he'll make it." and true enough, he did.
cain2335 6 months ago
"one of the most powerful, animalistic golf shots I've ever seen"
RegionRatForever 6 months ago
@RegionRatForever Unfortunately this film doesn't capture the sound of the fellow in the gallery who shouted "it's oreight" as the ball was on it's way
112sje 1 month ago
wow. never knew watson hit first (second shot) on 18. just shows the incredible genius and resolve on nicklaus to fight that ball onto the green from a bad lie and then making a three! think it was the 86 open and these two were doing an interview +watching highlights of this duel. jack said all i could do was force him to make his putt. look at the look watson gives him after he makes it. are you kidding me!? great sportmanship after it was over, golf is also still just a game.
templedown 7 months ago
Still the greatest head to head paring in the final round of golf in history. My favourite story of this event comes from Hubert Green who finished in third place - 10 shots behind Nicklaus. He maintains to this day that he won the golf tournament he was playing in !!!- Both Nicklaus and Watson were playing a entirely different game on another level.
duckwrangler 7 months ago
Massive crowd. I recall watching this on TV as a child. Amazing.
Gonzoidz 7 months ago
Watson's putt from off the green made the difference. Also, his decision to go with a one iron on the 18th is something you rarely see nowadays with the pros. I am not sure exactly why the one iron went out of fashion with the top players, but I used to have one in my bag in case it came in handy for par 5 second shots or other situations, because I didn't feel comfortable using woods on the fairway.
MisterEvasion 7 months ago
What sportsmanship Jack showed with his words at the end and walking off the 18th green with his arm round Tom, congratulating him. This must have been a heart breaking loss for Jack but still he said well played to the victor - and meant it.
We won't see his kind again.
stevepising 7 months ago
Tom Watson said later that he believed Jack was going to make that 50ft putt. Yeah right, lol. Such a BS'er. Did you see the stone look on Tom's face when that putt sank? That 2ft putt he had no longer felt like a tap in.The fact that Jack hacked that ball out the junk and sank a 50ft putt proved he's the greatest ever. He gave you nothing. You had to bring your A-game if you were gona beat Jack. And lets not forget the19 runner ups in Majors! That tells me there was only one guy to beat: Jack.
SwingItLikeMoe 8 months ago
i want golf like this back! today's game severely lacks consistancy
cain2335 10 months ago
@cain2335 I could not agree more!! Golfers today have no clue how good these guys were!! What they do today is "Bombs away with "hi-tech drivers"...As Moe Norman said; "What a shame"!!!
watertonrivers 9 months ago
When one thinks of the way golf should be played, in all of its aspects from great skill, performance under the incredible pressure of trying to win a major championship, and most of all the fair play and sportsmanship displayed by both players that makes golf so different from other competitive sports, this round of golf between two legendary players stands alone. It IS golf, the way it is meant to be played at it's highest level.
alanrdowney 11 months ago 2
I remember the times Jack lost a major more then I do the times he won. Great moments 1972 British Open 1977 Masters 1977 British Open 1982 US Open. Nothing will ever come close to the 1986 Masters, Nicklaus' last major win. However, my point is, Jack has given us such great moments in defeat. Imagine if he had not competed against Watson who took 4 majors from Nicklaus and Trevino who took 4 majors. Nicklaus was runner-up to Watson and Trevino 8 times combined. Jack could have won 30 Majors
BCKLW 11 months ago
Comment removed
RonPaulRevolution4u 1 year ago
As much as I admire Tom Watson and his play it was clearly Nicklaus who gave away victory with the missed putt on the 17th. Of course, Watson pushed him to his limits, which is something most of us will never be in a position to do - even now when Jack is past 70 :-)
rorikjunior 1 year ago
i worked at turnberry for 2 years, i think i recognized one of the old guys running across to see nicklaus's shot lol
dogboy23 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
For a long time instructors taught students to have the feeling you were “sitting” on a bar stool. I always believed we should have been teaching people to feel as though you were “leaning” back on a stool. The last thing you would ever want to do is sit in golf. Sitting will cause the golf club to swing too level to the ground in the downswing, and you will have a tendency to hit the ground behind the golf ball. w w w (dot) golferbreak80 (dot) c0m
planetstunt 2 years ago
Comment removed
fonziheights 2 years ago
In the playoff last month '09, Watson hit his drive on 18 about where Nicklaus was in '77.
inmhstn 2 years ago
Maybe Watson can win next year at St. Andrews. Get back in the time machine!
rchris36 2 years ago
the music is pretty legit lol
golfvince 2 years ago
It's a great pity that Tom Watson did not win the 09 Open at Turnberry. So many hearts were broken as he failed to convert the 8 footer for victory. Yes,his short putts were not good on the last day...his strokes were not authoritative. But we look forward to welcome Tom back at St. Andrews next year and put up another galant show.
mclenptp 2 years ago 5
Such a shame that Tom couldnt hole out that last putt on Sunday against Cink. I've never experienced such emotion at any sporting event. I had to watch this video to see him win again to try get over the dissapointment.
dkfinkbone 2 years ago 3
Thanks so much for posting this video. First time I've gotten to see the famous "Duel in the Sun" and I can definitely see why so many call it one of the greatest battles in golf history.
Two battlers giving it their best, hitting some amazing shots under pressure but also putting everything in perspective with that great display of sportsmanship at the end. Some modern players would do well to emulate their attitude. Play your heart out but understand that it is just a game.You'll enjoy it more
PureGolfJourney 2 years ago 4
I'm rooting for Tom tomorrow! I would sure love to see him walking up to the 18th green in the lead. Only thing that would be better is if Jack was walking up with him now 32 years later. :)
seandeyoung01 2 years ago
nice video.. Go make history again at this OPEN. u can do it!
alexanderlund91 2 years ago 3
do it one more time tom !!
prw78 2 years ago 2
"one of the most powerful, animalistic swings..."
Yes, but it was also controlled.
perigordblues 2 years ago 2
Great video- Watson was really the only golfer that could stand toe to toe with Jack and win in majors. dlpine71 is right- Watson just lost the ability to consistently hole the 4-6 footers by his mid-30's otherwise he could have won a few more majors.
jjshaka 2 years ago
To me, this heart-stopping match between 2 great players called 'Duel in the Sun' remains the greatest round of golf in history until today. Anyone out there disagrees?
Fairandjust 2 years ago 14
I agree. This is probably the best as far as great duels. The closest I can think of in recent memory was the Tiger Woods/Bob May duel in the 2000 PGA.
gatorcc70 2 years ago
watson and nicklaus were playing their own match-play tournament while the rest of the field was playing stroke-play. hubert green - who finished third - has said he 'won' the tournament -- and that watson and nicklaus were playing at something else in the 1977 british open, finishing ten and eleven strokes ahead of green.
dlpine71 2 years ago
@Fairandjust I totaly agree. They left the rest of the field in the dust. Hubert Green, who came in 3rd, put it best, "As far as I am concern, I won this golf tournament. I have no idea what kind of game those two were playing."
zuzuspedals 1 year ago
@Fairandjust They were 2 magnificent birdies up the last in the circumstances. Only thing that comes close in a 2 man shoot out was maybe Ballesteros vs Price in '88 Open or Woods vs May for 2000 USPGA. For all time thrill though form me would put the '86 US Masters above them all - Nicklaus, Balltesteros, Norman and Kite all had great chances
portleucate 10 months ago
And the two men left the green, after such a battle, with their arms round each others' shoulders. They defined the word "sportsmanship".
KeithAtHomeInBolton 2 years ago 5
I've always believed - had Watson been a better putter, his name would be up there with Nicklaus, Palmer and the rest. He was such a great ball striker, but that putter of his - it just cost him.
BBCater 3 years ago
watson was always regarded a very good and bold putter. his putting actually started failing him in the mid to late eighties, cutting short a brilliant career. even so, his name is up there with palmer and nicklaus. noted golf instructor jim mclean regards watson as the best putter ever. johnny miller has said that only tom watson and jack nicklaus at the height of their careers could put fear into tiger woods and stare him down today.
dlpine71 2 years ago 6
Thanks a lot for a great compilation mate. Really enjoyed it.
cripto1888 3 years ago
get well Seve
1prowrestling 3 years ago
I was in the granstand and watched the Nicklaus putt roll in, I was 14 at the time and the atmosphere was electric. Had been to Troon a few years earler to see Weiskopf lift the claret jug and have been to many more British opens since.
J700JAM 3 years ago 11
I know on the 71st hole, Jack missed a five-foot putt that hurt. However, I agree the 35-foot putt he then made on the 72nd hole is the greatest putt in major championship history. Best match ever played. Period. And the first time 270 was broken for 72 holes in a major! Jack being the first to do that and to finish second.
I loved Hubert Green's comment when it was over (after finishing third - 10 shots behind Jack), "I won the tournament. I don't know what those two were playing."
sretsam68 3 years ago 3
Ha Ha Ha - excellent comment, particularly the Hubert Green quote. Quite definitively - the greatest "match" ever contested - and in a stroke play context as well, not to mention taking in to account the small matter of the fact that they were playing for the title of British Open Champion. Two great champions making the tournament their own and reducing a (obviously) world class field to the status of bystanders. Thanks to nldhstn for posting.
KendoSaggyknackers 3 years ago 2
wow, thats the first time I've seen that putt....def up there for best ever....maybe Rocco at 95' open though??? anybody?? but I guess Jack had a remarkable second, not like Rocco's flubbed chip previous to his putt ;)
rhettco52 3 years ago
i think Nicklaus had better putts in majors himself. 16 at augusta in '75, 17 at augusta in '86. 18 at Baltusrol in '67 to get up and down from 235 yds for the (then) U.S. Open scoring record. 17 at Baltrusol in '80 to close out Aoki. Tiger at 18 in reg. at the U.S. Open last year was pretty sweet, along with those three eagle putts. This is just vintage Nicklaus, though. Refusing to give in, even when the opponent is 18 inches from victory. Best ever. Then, Tiger, but that should change
earthshine2k 3 years ago
This was the day that i took up golf.
dwj67 3 years ago 3
The Best of all golf,thank You
Shawn11671 3 years ago
This was way better then any tournament Tiger played. All Tiger's competition does is melt under the pressure, but Watson made several great putts and shots to win.
derekschwartz20 3 years ago
harrington is the only player who can beat tiger face to face he never melts under tiger but sergio melts under him.....
quincyba1 3 years ago 2
i watched all 8. great upload.
tonkotsuday 3 years ago 2
Hi,
Nicklaus' birdie put on 18 was the greatest put ever made in Major championship golf. Gary Player says Jack Nicklaus is "the greatest loser in golf history" Of course meaning Jack is a great sportsman.
BCKLW 3 years ago 5
£10000? That's almost enough for the average kitchen refurb.
museumoftechno 4 years ago
The best....thanks.
TheDuke67 4 years ago 3