The Golden Bear ravages the Palm Springs Golf Classic

Jack Nicklaus, The Golden Bear edged Gary Player, The Black Knight on this day 54 years ago. He became $9,000 dollars richer in the process whilst continuing his professional dominance on Tour. Nicklaus won the Palm Springs Golf Classic by 8 strokes during an 18 hole playoff. Jack simply dismantled Player, the South African who never stood a chance.

Playoff almost cancelled...

Ironically, Nicklaus disclosed Monday that he almost cancelled playing in Palm Springs because of a bursitis in his hip. He still shot 34-31 =65, 6 under par in the leisure routing of his opponent. He sank eagle putts on the 17th for a birdie three and then on the 18th for an eagle three.

"Some weeks you only have to work four days for $9,000" said Nicklaus... "This week I had to work six"

Player was almost absent from this playoff but his struggles really began on the back nine. After finishing only two strokes behind Nicklaus while shooting even par. He 3 putted from 25 feet and missed an 18 inch putt all on the back nine as well. This was nothing compared to what happened on the 12th hole...when his tee shot landed directly behind a palm tree. Three strokes behind, Player decided to take a gamble and took a vicious cut at the ball. The result was a hard smack into another Palm forcing Player to play his next shot left handed and ending any chances.