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They say that every journey begins with a single step, and when it comes to Jack Nicklaus winning his record 18 major titles, that first single step came at the 1962 US Open at Oakmont.
Jack Nicklaus had provided a glimpse of the greatness which was to come in the first two years of the 1960s. He had finished three of the four majors he played across 1960 and 1961 as the low amateur, while he finished in a tie for seventh at the other.
The Golden Bear had finished second to Arnold Palmer at the 1960 US Open having led on a couple of occasions during the final round.
It would prove to be the same two players battling over the same title two years later. Palmer, the King, was seeking his sixth major title, while Nicklaus – just 22 years of age at the time – was looking for his first professional win.
The story of Jack Nicklaus clinching his first major title after a playoff with Arnold Palmer
Palmer made the faster start and was leading at the halfway stage at Oakmont. Nicklaus meanwhile, went into the final round two shots back of the great man.
A bogey on the first hole of that last round appeared to do him no favours. Palmer reached three under par at one stage on Saturday, while Nicklaus remained two over par for the tournament until the seventh hole.
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By the 72nd hole of the event however, the pair were tied at one under par. An 18 hole playoff on the Sunday would be required.
There was to be no slow start for Nicklaus in the playoff. By the time the pair reached the seventh tee, Nicklaus led by four. And although Palmer was able to close the gap to one with six holes to play, Nicklaus was able to hold on and secure his first major title.
Nicklaus’ performance was not only particularly impressive because of the opponent he faced in the playoff, but also the fact that Palmer had the large majority of the passionate crowd on his side.
How Arnold Palmer felt about the abuse Jack Nicklaus received at the 1962 US Open
Palmer is one of the most popular players golf has ever had, and he was from Latrobe, which is less than an hour from Oakmont.
According to CBS Sports, Nicklaus’ father had to be held back from getting into an altercation with someone in the crowd, with his son’s shot jeered as Palmer’s were enthusiastically cheered.
Nicklaus would claim that he was oblivious to the abuse he was receiving. However, Palmer was very much aware of what his playing partner was dealing with.
“That bothered me,” Palmer said, as reported by CBS. “They were all people I knew, so it wasn’t something that I was pleased about at all.”
“It was quite an accomplishment for a young man who was really fresh on the tour,” he added, when speaking about Nicklaus’ win. “I said, ‘Now that that young fella’s out of the cage, he’s gonna be tough. Watch out for him.’ We knew then that Jack was gonna be a great player. We just didn’t know how great.”
Of course, Nicklaus would go on to win another 17 majors over the next 24 years. Palmer meanwhile, would lift The Open Championship for a second time later that year, with the last of his seven majors coming at the 1964 Masters.
Palmer remained perhaps golf’s most important figure for the rest of his life. But it certainly seems that the 1962 US Open was a passing of the torch moment which gave Nicklaus the platform to become the most successful player the game has ever seen.