Jack Nicklaus picks the most important putt he ever made in his entire golfing career

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Jack Nicklaus holed countless big-time putts in his legendary career, and he has now picked the most important.

Nicklaus is currently looking forward to hosting the Memorial Tournament this week, where all the top PGA Tour stars besides Rory McIlroy will compete.

In the build-up to the event, the 85-year-old also spoke about his most memorable moments as a player.

He named the single biggest putt of his life, which surprisingly didn’t come in any of his 18 major championship victories.

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Jack Nicklaus explains the ‘most important putt’ in his career

Nicklaus was originally asked which of his major wins was his favorite. He then explained that his two US Amateur titles previously counted.

The tournament is no longer considered a major, reducing his tally from 20 to 18, but it remains prestigious.

Nicklaus even suggested that his putt to beat Charlie Coe at the 1959 US Amateur was more impactful than any other because of the confidence it gave him.

“First of all, when I won The Masters in ’86, they called that my 20th major,” he said. “I had 20 majors for several years, and all of a sudden, it went to 18 because they eliminated my US Amateurs.

“Frankly, my first US Amateur was one of my favourite wins because in 1959 I beat Charlie Coe, a Walker Cup captain at that time and defending champion. I holed about an eight-footer on the last hole to beat him at Broadmoor in a 36-hole match.

“That particular putt showed me at 19 years old that I had what it took. It was probably the most important putt I ever made. So, in many ways, that’s my favorite.”

Jack Nicklaus picks his favorite major championship win

Excluding the US Amateur, Nicklaus picked the 1986 Masters as his favorite major championship win for one clear reason.

He won 17 majors in 18 years between 1962 and 1990, going no more than three seasons without adding another to his résumé.

However, he had to wait six years to win his 18th at the ’86 Masters. He was 46 years old, and nobody expected him to do it, so it stands out among the rest.

“Obviously, my win at the US Open at Oakmont in 1962, winning my first professional major, was very special, and of course, winning the 16 between the US Open and the ’86 Masters were all pretty special,” Nicklaus added.

“But the ’86 Masters, nobody thought I was going to win, including me, until I got myself into a top position. I remembered how to win. That was very special.”