[Wingate1217]

What would have happened if Jack Nicklaus was never born or had decided to take up gardening instead? For one thing, Tiger Woods would have been celebrating besting Bobby Jones record of 13 major championships with his record setting win at Torrey Pines last month. But Jack?s absence would have meant a few more championships for some well known names as well as lifted one fellow to legend status. Here we go?.

Arnold Palmer (7 Majors) Arnold was ?The King? before Jack?s arrival (okay he still is) but he was ?The Man? before Nicklaus arrived. Arnold won four Masters (?58, ?60, ?62 & ?64), two British (61 & 62) and the memorable 1960 US Open were he bested the aged Ben Hogan and an amateur Jack Nicklaus. If Jack had not been around Arnold would have claimed the 1962 US Open (Oakmont) as well as the ?67 Open (Baltusrol). Gary Player and Arnold would have battled it out the ?65 Masters. Totals- 9 outright, 10 potential majors

Gary Player (9 Majors) Gary is golf?s ambassador and the man from South Africa won nine majors. Gary?s major victories almost spanned over twenty years beginning in 1959 (British) and ending with the 1978 Masters. In between he won ?61 & ?74 Masters, the ?68 & ?74 British, the ?62 & ?72 PGA as well as the 1965 US Open at Bellerive (outside St. Louis). Gary promptly gave most of his earnings for the tournament to Junior Golf and this coupled with his caddie?s share gave player a net loss for the week. Gary would have played Arnold for the ?65 Masters title if Jack was around. Totals- potentially 10 majors

Bruce Crampton (Zero Majors) Bruce was a major force on the golf course during the ?60?s and 70?s. If not for Jack Nicklaus, Bruce would have won the ?63, ?73 & ?75 PGA?s as well the 1972 US Open at Pebble Beach and would have been a household name. He also would have been in a playoff with Tom Weiskopf and Brian Mitchell for the ?72 Masters title. Totals- 4 outright and potentially five majors

Billy Casper (3 Majors) Billy won three majors over the course of his career and was known for his prowess with the flat stick. He captured the ?59 & ?66 US Opens as well as the 1970 Masters. If not for Jack, Billy would have claimed the ?71 PGA. Totals- 4 Majors outright

Raymond Floyd (4 Majors) Raymond Floyd the ?69 & ?82 PGA?s and the 1986 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. At the 1976 Masters he tried the then 72 hole scoring record as he ran away from the field. In Jack?s absence he would have been in a playoff at St. Andrews with Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Simon Owen. Totals- 5 potential majors

Johnny Miller (2 Majors) Most of the TV viewing public know Johnny as the ?NBC Golf Guy? but in his day Mr. Miller was a very good golfer. He won the 1973 US Open at Oakmont were he shocked everyone by shooting a record 63 in the final round to bypass a slew of golfers to win the trophy. He also won the ?76 British Open at Royal Birkdale. Without Nicklaus around Miller would have been in a playoff with Tom Weiskopf for the ?75 Master?s title. Totals Potential of 3 Majors

Tom Weiskopf- (1 Major) This OSU alum captured the 1973 British Open and would have been in playoffs for the ?72 & ?75 Masters. Totals 3 Potential Majors

Tom Kite (1 Major) Won the 1992 US Open at Pebble Beach. His close calls are discussed in Tiger?s post. Totals- 3 potential Majors

Greg Norman (2 Majors) The ?Shark? was the dominant player during the mid 1980?s and was in the hunt for several major wins, however several remarkable shots and a untimely collapse left him with only two majors (?86 & ?93 British). During the 1986-87 seasons Norman had three majors slip through his fingers as first he succumbed to the ?Golden Bear?s blistering 30 on the back nine in the ?86 Masters, followed by Bob Tway?s bunker shot on 18 that same year in the PGA at Inverness, and finally upstaged by Larry Mize?s 140?+ playoff chip shot on #10 at Augusta the following year. And who can forget his legendary collapse in 1996 to hand the Masters to Nick Faldo. If Jack had not been around Greg would have dueled Tom Kite at the ?86 Masters for the title. Totals- Potentially 3 majors

Ben Crenshaw (2 majors) ?Gentle Ben? rode his awesome putting skills to capture the ?84 & ?95 Masters. He would have been in contention at the ?78 British in a playoff with Raymond Floyd, Tom Kite and Simon Owen had Jack not shown up. Totals-3 potential Majors

Tony Lema (1 Major) ?Champagne Tony? was the winner of the ?64 British and perhaps would have contended for several other majors had it not been for a tragic plane crash that took his life in 1966. Tony would have won the ?63 Masters if Mr. Nicklaus was not around.

Doug Sanders (Zero Majors) Dougwas a pretty dapper dresser back in the day and was known for some of the strangest color combinations to be seen on the golf course and this included the color of his golfing shoes also. Doug was runner-up to Nicklaus in the ?66 and ?70 British Opens where in the latter he missed a one to two foot putt to win outright. Totals- 2 Majors outright

Others- Andy Bean (?80 PGA), Isao Aoki (?80 US Open) & John Jacobs (1966 Masters)

I am compelled to note that Tiger sans Jack would have just eclipsed Bobby Jones record of 13 majors and this just highlights the immense talent of Jones, as his record would have stood for over 75+ years. It is also fun to point out that Bobby Jones retired at a ripe old age of 28??..

Lee Trevino is next??