He is the golfer who beat Jack Nicklaus on a course he designed to win his only PGA Tour title at the Canadian Open

Add as preferred source on Google

There is perhaps no more prestigious event missing from Jack Nicklaus’ career resume than the Canadian Open, with the Golden Bear finishing second on seven occasions.

The likes of Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman and Rory McIlroy have won the Canadian Open more than once. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods produced one of the most iconic shots of his career at the event in 2000 with his approach from the bunker on 18.

But incredibly, Jack Nicklaus never actually won the Canadian Open.

His first second place finish came in 1965 as he finished one shot back of Gene Littler. And it would be 20 years later that he would register his final runner-up result, with Curtis Strange winning by two.

The player who beat Jack Nicklaus at the Canadian Open on a course the Golden Bear designed

On three occasions, Nicklaus finished second at Glen Abbey. And Glen Abbey holds a significant place in Nicklaus’ career as it was the first course he designed on his own. The venue hosted the Canadian Open for the first time in 1977.

It has now hosted the tournament on 30 occasions. And in 1981, it was the site of one golfer’s only PGA Tour victory – with Nicklaus one of those who finished in second.

Peter Oosterhuis had not had the best time on the PGA Tour in the years before winning the Canadian Open 44 years ago. He had previously won the Order of Merit on the European Tour on four occasions, but the Englishman had not been able to take that form stateside.

He also finished second at the 1977 Canadian Open as Trevino won for a second time. But he went one better four years later, with Nicklaus, Andy North and Bruce Lietzke one shot back.

Jack Nicklaus missed the chance to take the event to a playoff

Nicklaus did have a chance to take the event to a playoff as he had an eagle putt on the last from 20 feet. However, he was not able to find the bottom of the cup.

Oosterhuis – who passed away in 2024 at the age of 75 – meanwhile, would finish second at the 1982 Open Championship. But both of his major appearances the previous year had seen him miss the cut.

He made six appearances in the Ryder Cup, but was never on the winning side. It was in his final appearance in the event – also in 1981 – that the team included players from continental Europe for the first time.