Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus and St Andrews – two of The Open’s most iconic names were always going to form a match made in heaven.

Nowhere did Nicklaus and the Home of Golf combine more memorably than at The 107th Open, where the 18-time major winner lifted his third and final Claret Jug to take a further step into the terrain of golfing greatness.

The American and St Andrews possess a storied old connection, with Nicklaus winning for the first time there in 1970 before going on to emulate his masterful exploits eight years on and hold off a competitive field.

But Nicklaus had it far from all his own way on the Scottish greens, going toe-to-toe with some fellow greats and being forced to overturn a third-shot deficit in order to renew his St Andrews hegemony.

A seasoned campaigner

He may have reached the age of 38 when he arrived at St Andrews but Nicklaus’ 14 majors to date had done little to suppress his desire for more, entering the competition following a near three-year drought since his win at the PGA Championship in 1975.

And the American had endured an uncharacteristically difficult 1978 season by his lofty standards, coming seventh at Augusta in the Masters and then tying for sixth at the US Open in June.

But Nicklaus was on the cusp of becoming the first man ever to win each major three times, an opportunity he was ready to seize with alacrity and a record that would stand until Tiger Woods equalled it at the US Open 30 years on.

And while it proved a far from straightforward path for him at The 107th Championship, Nicklaus did what unequivocally marked him out as one of the game’s greats – somehow found a way.

A difficult start

Nicklaus’ name was nowhere to be seen among the first day’s front-runners on the Scottish coast, slipping to a first round 71 following a series of missed opportunities.

Indeed, it was Japanese player Isao Aoki who took an opening day lead back to the clubhouse, shooting a majestic 68 to hold off the formidable quartet of Seve Ballesteros, Raymond Floyd, Jack Newton and Tom Weiskopf.

It didn’t get any easier for Nicklaus on the second day, failing to improve on his score with a below par 72 as Aoki, Ballesteros and America’s Ben Crenshaw – courtesy of a brilliant 69 – tied for the lead.

But with memories of his captivating ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Tom Watson the year before still lingering, Nicklaus knew all about how to come good at the right time.

Nicklaus’ third round blitz

And so to day three, a pivotal round in any major but this time with the enhanced pressure of a St Andrews Open in front of an expectant Friday crowd.

Nicklaus was a changed man after the halfway stage, however, waltzing his way along the pristinely-maintained fairways to close the gap on the leaders.

His 69 marked the joint-second best score of any of the top ten players, with Simon Owen’s 67 suddenly propelling him into contention in a tie for second with Nicklaus, Crenshaw and Aoki.

And it was now Watson and England’s Peter Oosterhuis who set the pace, with a thrilling final day beckoning in which Nicklaus was preparing to launch a late assault.

A late surge to glory

While he was without doubt assisted by Watson’s surprising 76 and Oosterhuis’ 73, Nicklaus delivered a stunning Saturday performance to catapult himself towards the lead.

Indeed, it was the American and Owen who duked it out at the climax in a late dart for victory, with Owen’s birdies at the 14th and 15th being quickly repelled by Nicklaus at the 16th in an unexpected two-shot swing.

And Nicklaus held his nerve to ascend a further step towards golfing immortality, notching three birdies, dropping no shots and shooting an immaculate 69 to win by two - seven under - and become the first man to conquer every major three times.

That was not the only record broken at what was a memorable Open, however, as the third day attendance figures meant more people viewed The 1978 Open than any other in the competition’s previously 106-edition history.

But it was Nicklaus’ Open to remember, holding the Claret Jug aloft once again to augment his glittering trophy cabinet even further.