03 November 2023 , 18:59
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Jack Nicklaus has made a heartbreaking admission about his golf game, after the most succesful major champion of all time claimed playing on the golf course is "no longer fun".
Nicklaus is regarded as arguably the greatest player of all time alongside Tiger Woods, having won a record 18 major titles and 117 professional tournaments overall. Now at the age of 83 though, the golfing great appears to have fallen out of love with the sport he dominated for so many years.
Per the Palm Beach Post, 'Golden Bear' said: "I would like to go play again. I play so poorly anymore it's just really not any fun. And I run out of golf balls.
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"People always say they want to play how I do," he added. "Well, now they can. In fact, I don't think want to play like I do."
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Nicklaus was speaking at Integra Connect Golf Classic Clinic to raise money for Conquer Cancer at PGA National alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, as well as Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam. All four golf stars were giving advice on the range at the Palm Beach course, but Nicklaus opted to leave the hitting to Donald, Els and Sorenstam.
It was revealed the Nicklaus' last golf shot came way back in April, when he hit the ceremonial drive alongside Gary Player at the 2023 Masters. Throughout his later years, Nicklaus has still been an ever-present on the golf course and played competitive professional golf on the Champions Tour up until the age of 65, playing his last ever event in 2005. In the years after the American has continued to play, especially at Augusta.
Jack Nicklaus has not hit a golf ball since his opening shot at the Masters (Getty Images)Nicklaus was a mainstay at the tournament's iconic par-three tournament up until 2022, when he opted to skip the Tuesday tournament. At the time he told Golfweek: "In many ways it is the start of the golfing season. It certainly is the start of the major championship season.
"Even though I don’t play anymore, it’s fun to be there. It’s fun to go to the Masters dinner. I’m done with the Par three, but toward the end of my career, I used to play every year. But I just can’t play anymore." Despite his lack of play, Nicklaus' wisdom of the game is still well recognised, especially by his fellow players.
Speaking alongside Nicklaus at the charity event, former world No. 1 Els claimed: "It's always special to be around Mr. Nicklaus with all of his wisdom and his knowledge in the game and in life," whilst 10-time major champion Sorenstam added: "It's very special just to listen to Jack. He's such an icon in the game, and loved by everybody, and he's very wise."