The 2020 Masters was unique with the tournament being held without patrons in attendance in November after being rescheduled due to the pandemic.
The Masters usually marks the true start of the golf season in the minds of many. Everything seems to ramp up once the world’s best players have ventured down Magnolia Lane and taken on Augusta National. But in 2020, The Masters had to be pushed back to the end of the year.
However, that was not the first time that The Masters has not been the first major of the year.
The 1971 PGA Championship at PGA National’s East Course was moved to February due to concerns over the weather in Florida in August. It meant that 1970 winner Dave Stockton was the tournament’s defending champion for around six months.
Jack Nicklaus made history at the 1971 PGA Championship
In truth, the ninth major victory of Jack Nicklaus’ illustrious career was perhaps one of his most straightforward.
The Golden Bear – who was paired with Gene Sarazen for the first two days – led after the first round after proving to be the only player to break 70. Bob Charles, Bob Goalby and Bobby Mitchell all found themselves one shot back after Thursday’s round.
Another 69 on Friday saw Nicklaus increase his lead to two shots at the halfway stage. And Sarazen was one of those who was full of praise for his playing partner.
“I saw a real champion,” Sarazen said. “I never saw such power and Nicklaus putted magnificently.”
By the end of Saturday’s round, he led by four over Gary Player, with the South African sat on four under par.
Nicklaus’ 73 on Sunday was not enough to open the door for his rivals. Billy Casper finished second after posting a 68 in the final round. But he still finished two shots behind Nicklaus.
Jack Nicklaus went on to achieve so much more after his record-breaking win at the 1971 PGA Championship
History was made at the 1971 PGA Championship with Nicklaus becoming the first player to ever win a second Career Grand Slam.
Of course, only Tiger Woods has since joined Nicklaus in winning more than one Career Grand Slam.
Nicklaus won the PGA Championship for a third time in 1973. Meanwhile, he would complete a third Career Grand Slam in 1978 after winning The Open Championship for the 15th of his 18 major titles.