Jack Nicklaus

18 major championships — the all-time record in golf.

Jack William Nicklaus was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1940 and won 18 major championships — the most in the history of golf, a record that has stood since 1986 and that Tiger Woods, the closest challenger, has not surpassed. His majors span Masters (6), US Open (4), The Open Championship (3) and PGA Championship (5). He won 73 PGA Tour titles. His first major came at the 1962 US Open at Oakmont, defeating Arnold Palmer in a playoff. His final major came at the 1986 Masters at age 46 — when he shot 30 on the back nine on Sunday, completing a round of 65 that remains the most celebrated final round in the tournament's history. He was runner-up in majors 19 times — reflecting extraordinary consistency at the sport's highest level across 4 decades. He won major championships in each of 4 consecutive decades (1960s, 70s, 80s — and his last in 1986 was 24 years after his first). His course design portfolio spans over 300 golf courses worldwide. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. He is universally considered among the 2 or 3 greatest golfers in history.

Strategic course management, exceptional mental toughness, clutch putting

The Golden Bear - most successful major champion in golf history

• Masters 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
• US Open 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980
• The Open Championship 1966, 1970, 1978
• PGA Championship 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980
• PGA Player of Year 5x
• Ryder Cup 1963–1983 (6 appearances)