July 9, 1966

Jack Nicklaus wins the British Open by one stroke and joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player as the only golfers to win all four modern majors.

After shooting a 33 on the front side at Muirfield, Nicklaus bogeys 11, 13 and 14 to fall into a tie for the lead with Doug Sanders and Dave Thomas. "I decided I'd better start playing golf again," Nicklaus says. "That was when I regained my composure."

With Sanders and Thomas in the clubhouse, Nicklaus reaches the par-5, 528-yard 17th hole in two shots and two putts from 15 feet. That birdie enables him to win the championship with a 2-under-par 282.

July 9, 1977

Exactly 11 years later to the day after winning his first British Open, Jack Nicklaus isn't as fortunate today. The 17th hole was decisive in that first victory and it's the deciding hole again today. But this time it's Tom Watson who registers the winning birdie in an epic head-to-head duel.

Nicklaus, the king, and Watson, the man who would be king, both shot 65 yesterday and are tearing up the Turnburry course again today. Tied for the lead at 17, Watson birdies. When both players birdie 18, Watson is the winner by a stroke after his second consecutive 65.

His 268 not only breaks the British Open record of 276, but the major championship record of 271 as well.