Nicklaus Wins PGA and Record 14th Major

by Bill Nichols

Jack Nicklaus now stands alone in the glorious history of golf.

Nicklaus, the famed Golden Bear, easily won the PGA National Championship at Caterbury Golf Club yesterday to become the all-time leader on the list of winners of the prestigious major titles.

The PGA is Nicklaus' 14th major championship, one more than was recored by the late Bobby Jones, a legendary golf figure of another era.

He topped runner-up Bruce Crampton by four strokes to equal the widest margin victory in the championship since it changed to stroke play in 1958. Al Geiberger set the four-shot margin record when he won the PGA at firestone in 1966.

Nicklaus picked up the winner's check for $45,000 to boost his 1973 earnings to $245,424, placing him second to Crampton on the money list.

Crampton pocketed $25,700 and now has banked $270,841 this year.

Crampton checked in with a final round 33-37--70 for a 72-hole total of three-under-par 281.

Another shot in arrears were Lanny Wadkins (69), J.C. Snead (69) and Mason Rudolph (73). At one-under regulation were Tom Weiskopf (71) and Don Iverson (74). At even par were Hale Irwin, Kermit Zarley and 61-year-old Sam Snead.

There were challenges, but no one was able to do so seriously. Nicklaus was determined to win this championship and there was little doubt that he would at anytime yesterday afternoon.

Jack held a one-shot lead on Rudolph and Iverson when the final round got underway. The Bear would not falter.

Nicklaus contented himself with par through the first five holes and then birdied Nos. 6 and 7 for an outgoing 34. On the home nine filed in a 22-foot putt on 15 for a bird and finished with his only three-putt effort for the tournament on the 18th for a bogey.

Interestingly, Nicklaus had just five bogies in 72 holes in the last four days.

"I am absolutely delighted," he said afterwards.

"Obviously, I've been bugged this year. Everytime (in major championships) I've fouled up a round when I had a chance to win.

"I played just solid golf," he added, "nothing sensaional, but just solid and I feel I putted pretty well on these greens."

The turning point in the tournament, Nicklaus said, was his second shot on the 465-yard 13th hole. He had used a three wood off the tee instead of a driver for accuracy but nevertheless had pushed the ball into the right rough.

A tree obscured his view of the green. He hooked a four iron around around the tree and rolled the ball onto the front green 30 feet from the pin. He two putted for par and maintained his three-stroke lead.

Crampton, who finished second to Nicklaus at both the 1972 U.S. open and Masters, had nothing but praise for the champion.

"This borders on the unbelievable," said Bruce. "Playing along Jack was wonderful for me. It was an honor to be an eyewitness to history. It's incredible for a man to accomplish so much and be so young."

Crampton began the day at two-under par and made a charge on the front nine with a 33. He stumbled just enough o lose his challenging position on the back and was content to receive the runner-up check.

Crampton, however, needed help to finish second. Rudolph supplied it when he came apart on the 18th and 72nd hole with a double bogey six to finish in a tie for third.

Rudolph struggled in with a closing 73 and 282 total.

Rudolph and Iverson trailed Nicklaus by one swing after 54 holes. Iverson closed with a 74 and he finished in a tie for sixth worth $7,311.

…Someone asked Nicklaus about comparing himself with Jones and he said it can't be done. "That was a different time; there was different competition and different gold courses," he said.

"You can't even draw any comparisons until I retire and I'm not about to retire. I plan to play a lot more golf."

What about winning his 14th major. "Fourteen is just a number," said Jack. "You have to wait for history to list the records."

Nicklaus failed to win Number 14 in his last five major championships, which caused someone to remark, "Didn't you believe it would happen someday?" With that, Jack replied, "I never believe things will happen. You have to make it happen."

It happened Sunday at Canterbury. He became a legend in his own time.

How did he feel? "I don't know," he answered. "It will take a few days for the impact to sink in."

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