The 2005 Open Championship saw Tiger Woods win his 10th major title when leading after 54 holes, with the American winning by five shots from Colin Montgomerie at St Andrews – but it was far from being the only significant moment that week at the Old Course.
While Tiger Woods had been at the top of the game for some time when he won at St Andrews, the 2005 Open Championship was something of a passing of the torch moment as it was also the tournament which saw Jack Nicklaus bow out from major championship golf.
Of course, Nicklaus is the most successful male golfer of all-time, having won 18 major titles. So it was fitting that he did make his final major appearance at the Home of Golf. Nicklaus was unable to make the cut, but did sign off in style as he birdied the final hole.
It was actually Luke Donald who played alongside Nicklaus that week. The Englishman had missed the cut at his previous five appearances at The Open, but was being backed for a bright future. And in 2018, Donald told the Life on Tour Podcast what the experience was like to play alongside arguably the greatest to have ever played the game in such a significant week.
Luke Donald sheds light on playing alongside Jack Nicklaus in his final major in 2005
“It was extraordinary. I was obviously presented with the opportunity, I’m not sure I should be telling this on camera, but they came to me, The R&A, and they asked me if I would want to play with Jack, and the other playing partner was Tom Watson,” he said.
“But obviously at that point we were sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland and so that was the connection. I was the up and coming British player and they thought it was a good fit. And of course, it was something I had to think about for just a little bit, because obviously I’m there to try and compete and win. And this is going to be a big deal, but more distracting than the typical group. After about three seconds, I thought yes, let’s do it. This will be a great opportunity.
“Just an amazing reception Jack got. Obviously, a fan favourite in Scotland, and at St Andrews, having won The Open Championship there. Still have those photos hanging up at my house, so just a special moment, and to see the great one hole that birdie putt on the last to cap it off was very, very special.”
The incredible Open performance four years later
Quite remarkably, the player within that group who came closest to winning the Claret Jug after 2005 was Tom Watson, with the American rolling back the years in 2009 at Turnberry.
Watson led after the second and third rounds, and needed just a par up the last to win the trophy for a sixth time. Unfortunately, he made a bogey and lost out in a play-off to Stewart Cink.
Donald meanwhile, would finish in a tie for fifth on two occasions – including at that 2009 Open – and has actually not played in The Open since 2016.
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