When you think of the history of golf and the great names who have laid the foundations for others, it’s hard not to look at both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
The iconic duo have 25 majors between them and more than 130 PGA Tour wins and in terms of icons of the game, they are right up there.
Palmer and Nicklaus were part of an era that well and truly left a legacy in the game and over the years, the duo enjoyed some titanic battles.
However, of all the events Palmer and Nicklaus shared and competed in, it’s hard to look past their iconic battle at the 1962 US Open as the pair faced off in an 18-hole playoff.
And with Oakmont the venue for that epic contest and due to host this week’s US Open again, it’s worth a trip down memory lane to recall the event.
How Jack Nicklaus took down Arnold Palmer at the 1962 US Open
Coming into the tournament, Jack Nicklaus was very much the young upstart in golf and had yet to win a major.
On the reverse, Arnold Palmer was five majors into his stellar career and coming off the back of winning The Masters the same year.
As both players battled it out in the final round, both Palmer and Nicklaus missed birdies on 18 to force a playoff over 18 holes the following day.
What ensued was very much a sign of things to come, as Nicklaus battled a crowd very much intent on Palmer winning out to secure a first major title.
| Major | Wins | Years |
| The Masters | 6 | 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986 |
| PGA Championship | 5 | 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980 |
| US Open | 4 | 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 |
| Open Championship | 3 | 1966, 1970, 1978 |
Nicklaus birdied two of the opening nine holes to go into the back nine with a three shot lead as Palmer made three bogeys and a birdie on his front nine. Palmer did mount a fightback though, as he birdied both 11 and 12 to close within one of Nicklaus before a costly bogey on 13 set him back.
While Palmer battled inconsistencies, Nicklaus made par on every hole on the back nine before making bogey on 18.
By that point, it was too late, and Nicklaus won out by three shots to claim the first of what would become 18 major titles.
What Arnold Palmer said about Jack Nicklaus at the US Open in 1962
It goes without saying that Nicklaus has become an icon of golf and this win at Oakmont was just the platform he needed to get going.
Beating Palmer as a 22-year-old sent a clear message to the world that he was ready to take the reins and boy, did he do that.
Indeed, at the time, Palmer himself even warned everyone about Nicklaus, in a prediction that very much came true.
“Now that the big guy is out of the cage,” Palmer warned afterward, “everybody better run for cover.“
With the US Open to come at Oakmont this week, it would be great to see something like Scottie Scheffler v Rory McIlroy to see who the top dog is.
And just like Palmer and Nicklaus, we’d no doubt be treated to a titanic battle.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
