What Jack Nicklaus told Greg Norman after their first time playing together which had a huge impact on his career

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Jack Nicklaus was the greatest golfer of his generation, and every aspiring professional in the 1960s and 70s looked up to him.

Two-time major champion Greg Norman was one of those who idolised Nicklaus, and he was lucky enough to receive some words of wisdom from him.

The pair first played together at the 1976 Australian Open, a tournament at which both enjoyed great success.

Norman once revealed what Nicklaus told him midway through the event, which had a significant impact on his career.

• READ MORE: The hole at Augusta which Jack Nicklaus claims was the most vital to three of his Masters titles, he never went in the water on it

The important advice Jack Nicklaus gave Greg Norman after playing together

Norman won the first title of his professional career at the PGA Tour of Australasia’s West Lakes Classic in October 1976.

He then participated in the Australian Open one week later and played alongside Nicklaus in the opening two rounds.

Norman’s first tee shot couldn’t have gone much worse but the big takeaway was not anything that happened on the golf course.

Instead, it was Nicklaus’ advice to move to the United States and play on the PGA Tour.

Norman explained: “I s— my pants. I had just won the tournament the week before, and I grew up reading Jack’s books, so he was my idol. So I’m coming up from the practice tee on Tuesday afternoon, and Jack’s walking down and it’s the first time I met the guy.

“We’re on a slope, so I’m coming up and Jack’s way up here and I’m looking up at this guy. I’m taller than Jack but I’m looking up thinking, ‘oh my god this is Jack Nicklaus.’

“He put his hand on my shoulder and he said, ‘hey, I heard you won last week, congratulations, and I’m looking forward to playing with you on Thursday.’ I was so nervous.

“Anyway, I walk onto the first tee on Thursday and tee my ball up… I finally get it to rest on the tee and I cold-topped my tee shot. I didn’t hit it 30 yards off the tee.

“It actually hit a bush from here to the end of the stage. It felt like all the blood just drained out of my head and out of my body. I was so embarrassed and there was Jack. I shot 80 that day, a nice comfortable snowman. Jack shot, I think 70, and it was a great honour.

“I shot 72 the next day, and I think I beat him. We sat in the locker room at the end of Friday afternoon, and he put his hand on my right knee and said, ‘Greg, you know what, I think you’ve got some real good talent. You should think about going to America.’

“I don’t know [what he saw in me]. I never asked him that question. I’d [only] played three golf tournaments in my whole life, but he gave me that confidence.”

Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman both loved the Australian Open

It’s no surprise that Greg Norman performed well at his home open. He won the event five times, more than any other Australian.

However, he doesn’t hold the record for the most Australian Open victories – that belongs to seven-time champion Gary Player.

Meanwhile, Nicklaus is second on that list with six wins at the tournament Rory McIlroy recently said deserves more publicity.

The Northern Irishman lifted the title in 2013, while Jordan Spieth won two of the next three editions.