President George W. Bush presents golfer Jack Nicklaus with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Nov. 9, 2005, during ceremonies at the White House. (White House photo by Shealah Craighead.)
While Jack Nicklaus’ concession to Tony Jacklin is known by many, perhaps not as many know of his complete confidence and disdain for his opponents in another instance.
The scene was the 1973 Ryder Cup at Muirfield. Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf were playing Clive Clark and Eddie Polland in a four-ball match. The Yanks were comfortably up in the match with both Weiskopf and Nicklaus inside ten-feet putting for birdies. Jack was closer.
As Weiskopf related, Nicklaus told him, “Rack your cue.”
Weiskopf: What do you mean?”
Nicklaus: “Pick up your coin.”
Weiskopf: “Oh, you want me to move it?”
Nicklaus: “No, I mean pick it up. I’m not going to miss this putt.”
Nicklaus didn’t miss that putt!
