Wednesday, August 16
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Helen Nicklaus died Wednesday morning in Ohio as her son, Jack, prepared to play in his final PGA Championship. Helen Nicklaus would have turned 91 on Monday. Jack Nicklaus, through PGA of America CEO Jim Awtrey, said his mother had been sick for two years. He got a call on the course from his sister at about 11:15 am ET while practicing on the fourth hole. Nicklaus said his mother told him she wouldn't want anything that happened to her to affect him professionally, and he has not pulled out of the PGA Championship. Nicklaus' mother had often talked about her fear of dying during one of golf's major championships and had told her son she wanted him to continue playing. "I know her wish would be for me to stay here and play," Nicklaus said in a statement. "I certainly would not want to not fulfill her last wishes, so I have decided to compete in the PGA Championship." Awtrey said that Nicklaus saw his mother Monday before coming to Valhalla, a course he designed and is hosting its second PGA Championship. Awtrey reported that Nicklaus told him his mother was prepared to die and that her death was a "blessing." Nicklaus is also scheduled to receive the PGA of America's Distinguished Service award at a banquet Wednesday night. Awtrey said that Nicklaus would attend that as well. "By doing so, he is honoring her wishes," Awtrey said. Nicklaus will fly to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, after Thursday's first round to be with his family. He will return to Louisville in time for the second round on Friday. Nicklaus has said this will be the last year he plays all four majors. He has played 159 major pro championships, winning a record 18. Nicklaus is paired with Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh in the opening round Thursday. They tee off at 9:13 a.m. ET. A memorial service for Helen Nicklaus will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Mill Run branch of the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio. Viewing will be Sunday at Schoedinger Funeral Service in Columbus. Nicklaus' father, Charley, died in 1970. Besides her son, Helen Nicklaus is survived by a daughter, Marilyn. ESPN Golf Online's David Kraft and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Gary McCord discusses the pairings for the PGA Championship's first round.