Posted 4/14/03 9:57 am ET

Jack's back without any grand illusions

With his health better than it has been in years, six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus is anxious to see if golf swing is up to the demands of the lengthened Augusta National. Michael Holahan/AugustaChronicle

By David Westin
The Augusta Chronicle

After considerable thought and a less-than-inspiring PGA Tour test-run three weeks before the Masters Tournament, Jack Nicklaus decided to make his 43nd appearance at Augusta National Golf Club.

The six-time champion skipped the 2002 Masters because of health problems, the second time in four years he missed the tournament for that reason.

At the start of the 2003 season, the 63-year-old Nicklaus said he felt better than he had in seven years. That's when the thought of a possible Masters appearance crept into his mind.

"I've decided to play a little bit this year," Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus' bad back limited him to two Champions Tour events and one PGA Tour event (the Memorial, where he also serves as host) in 2002. "It's actually caused me a great predicament," Nicklaus said of his improved health. "Last year I had a wonderful year of nobody worrying about me playing golf and I didn't worry about me playing golf. Now I've got a predicament again."

Nicklaus played five tournaments this season, trying to gauge whether his game is ready for Augusta National.

One of those tournaments was the Bay Hill Invitational, where Nicklaus was a late entry. He shot 82-76 and missed the cut by 11 shots. "If this is any indication here, I can't play anything," Nicklaus said afterward. "I scored horribly, but I like some of the things I did."

Two weeks before the Masters, Nicklaus played a practice round at Augusta National, which has been lengthened by 305 yards since he last played the tournament. It was then that he decided to commit to the Masters.

"I don't think realistically I have a chance to win the golf tournament," Nicklaus said. "But I think if I really play well, then I have a chance to finish in the top 10. I think that would be pretty good for an old man."

His decision was a popular one with Hootie Johnson.

"We are very happy that Jack Nicklaus will be playing in this year's Masters," said the tournament and club chairman. "His participation is especially fitting since this is the 40th anniversary of Jack's first Masters win. Jack has a very special place in this tournament and our patrons will be excited that he is competing."

Since 1997, Nicklaus has endured hip replacement surgery and back problems.

"Back in 1996 was probably when I last had a golf swing," Nicklaus said. "I'm trying to learn how to play golf again. It's been a long time since I knew how to play, so I've got to figure out how to do it again. When you haven't played golf in seven years, it's hard to get back."

Augusta National, which played at less than 7,000 yards when Nicklaus last won the Masters in 1986, now measures 7,290 yards. "I've never played the golf course the way it is now with a golf swing," Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus, who is also a member at Augusta National, said he played two rounds at the course in 2002, "and the way I could swing at it, there was no reason for me to ever go to Augusta (to play in the Masters)."

His early play this year has been a lead-in to the Masters. After the tournament, Nicklaus said, he'll play "very little golf" other than a few Champions Tour events, a Nationwide Tour stop in Greenville, S.C., with his four sons and the Memorial Tournament.

"I've passed the last part of my good senior years and everything else," Nicklaus said. "But I still enjoy playing the game. And it's kind of exciting to me to feel good and feel like I have a chance to try to go out and play. It's fun to do that. Right now, I might not have any illusions about playing a lot of golf this year."

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851.

 

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