As a player, he authored a resume that perhaps will never be matched:

• He won 18 major championships, seven more than the closest name to him.
• In majors alone, he finished second 19 times, third nine times; 48 times he was top three, 56 times he was top five, and 73 times he was top 10.
• He's the only one to win each of the majors at least three times.
• Four times he won at least two majors in a season.
• Five times he finished top 10 in each of the majors.
• On one occasion he finished top 10 in 13 straight majors, at another stretch he did so for nine straight.

Impressive stuff and now that his 163d and final start in a major championship is over, the book can be closed for good. But only on his playing career. What should remain open and what should be mandatory reading for any young golfer is the book Nicklaus wrote on how to act and how to treat people. Any sportswriter of the last 40 years who came in contact with him can stipulate that he's the best. When you ask Nicklaus a question, you get an answer and more times than not he'll finish by asking you, "Does that answer your question?"

Tragedy struck the Nicklaus family four months ago when his grandson drowned, but he did not become a recluse or chase reporters away. He invited them to a press conference, relayed the family's heartfelt sorrow, and faced the probing questions that were asked. It's the way he is, the way he's always been.

He began his pro career as a chief rival to Arnold Palmer, then faced stiff competition from Gary Player, Billy Casper, Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, and Watson. The tournaments Nicklaus won are memorable; but the heartbreaking losses are at the heart of his character because of the way he handled himself. "He was always a gracious winner and always a gracious loser," Faxon said.

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Generations of golfers since Nicklaus arrived on the scene have been held to a supreme standard and that has only helped the PGA Tour landscape prosper.

In vintage Scottish summer weather — sunshine and cool breezes having chased away a morning mist — Nicklaus recorded an even-par round of 72 and missed the cut by two shots, but left everyone with a shot to remember him by. Fittingly, it was something he did better than anyone who's ever played this game. He made a putt on the final hole, only on this day, at this time, he wasn't battling pressure, he was fighting back tears.

MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES Player Masters U.S. Brit. PGA Total Jack Nicklaus 6 4 3 5 18 Tiger Woods 4 3 3 4 14 Walter Hagen 0 2 4 5 11 Ben Hogan 2 4 1 2 9 Gary Player 3 1 3 2 9

He had bogeyed the infamous "Road Hole," the par-4 17th at St. Andrews and now he knew there was no way of making the cut.

"That was the first time that I stopped being a golfer," said Nicklaus. "I should stop being a golfer more often, because I birdied the last hole."

Nicklaus laughed, but the thought occurred that he had, as always, spoken words that make profound sense.

He no longer is a golfer. He's forever an inspiration.

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