It is hard to imagine the excitement golf fans would have felt at the halfway stage of The Masters in 1965, with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer tied for the lead at Augusta National.
While the Big Three were at different stages of their careers heading into The Masters in 1965 – Arnold Palmer had already won the last of his seven majors, while Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player went into the week with six between them – the rivalry between the trio remained the dominant storyline in the game.
No one not named Palmer, Nicklaus or Player had won at Augusta National since 1959.
So it must have seemed too good to be true when the three men were all on six under par after the second round at The Masters in 1965. Palmer had actually gained five shots on first round leader Player on Friday.
But it would be Nicklaus who found the accelerator in some style on Saturday, as the Golden Bear took complete control of the tournament.
How Jack Nicklaus went on to dominate The Masters in 1965 to secure his second green jacket
Nicklaus tied the course record with a 64 in the third round to move five shots clear of Player. Nicklaus had birdied five of his first eight holes to leave him putting one arm in the green jacket for a second time.
Indeed, Nicklaus would leave his rivals with no hope on Sunday. He dropped just one shot as he posted a 69 to win by nine from Palmer and Player.
Remarkably, Nicklaus was the only player to break 70 on the final day at Augusta National. His power throughout the week gave him a clear advantage over the rest of the field.
Not only did Nicklaus break the record for the lowest score at The Masters – beating Ben Hogan’s 274 in 1953 by three shots – but it also became the largest winning margin in the event’s history.
Both records would remain intact until a certain Tiger Woods came along and made perhaps the most emphatic opening statement golf has seen on his way to lapping the field 32 years later.
One of the most impressive performances of Jack Nicklaus’ career
Nicklaus would retain his title the following year. But 1966 would mark the final time that one of the Big Three would receive the green jacket until 1974 when Nicklaus triumphed for a fourth time.
There is an argument that the putt on 17 in the final round in 1986 has become Nicklaus’ most iconic shot at the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
But it is extremely difficult to comprehend just how impressive it must have been more than two decades earlier when Nicklaus managed to leave two of the greatest players of all-time with no choice but to battle it out over second place.
Featured image credit: Bettman via Getty Images
Article image credit: Bettman via Getty Images