The ever enduring rivalry between Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player provided golf fans with some memorable head-to-head battles throughout the years.
Nicklaus and Player have often been critical of the modern-day game, and they both insist that it’s easier to make it now than it was in their day.
While the two golfers are good friends, they were once fierce rivals on the golf course.
Nicklaus got the better of Player more often than not, winning 18 majors and 73 PGA Tour events to the South African’s nine major championships and 24 regular PGA Tour tournaments.
However, there was one tournament when Player dominated Nicklaus.
The two best golfers in the world at the time met in the World Matchplay final at Wentworth in Surrey, England, in 1966.
Something highly controversial happened during the match between the golfing giants and has since become known as ‘The Incident’.
Referee forced to step down during Jack Nicklaus vs Gary Player World Matchplay final
Player ended up beating Nicklaus by a score of 6&4 during the 36-hole final.
The Golden Bear didn’t have his best form, with a series of errant drives costing him against his great rival.
However, on the ninth hole during the first 18 holes of the day, Nicklaus was angered after being refused a drop.
After finding the left rough, Nicklaus believed a large advertising billboard was blocking his path to the green – something that referee Tony Duncan did not agree with.
Of course nowadays, players would be granted a free drop under the Temporary Immovable Obstruction rule.
However, after Player won the hole, Nicklaus began remonstrating with Duncan during the walk to the 10th tee.
Duncan offered to step down – an offer which was accepted, with Gerald Micklem taking his place.
Player had obviously got the better of Nicklaus by playing better golf.
However, the 18-time major champion was furious that he wasn’t granted a drop on the ninth hole during the final at Wentworth, and he simply couldn’t let it go.
Jack Nicklaus wrote letter of complaint after Gary Player defeat at the World Matchplay
Following his defeat to Player, Nicklaus wrote a letter to golf magazine Golf World to explain how he felt he’d been hard done by.
Golf World published the letter from Nicklaus where the greatest of all time continued to plead his case.
Meanwhile, Duncan offered a response and shared his version of events.
The Welsh referee said: “It was quite ridiculous really.
“Nicklaus was 60 yards away from the advertisement board and yet wanted to drop his ball again. He seemed very angry at my refusal.“
Duncan actually met Nicklaus in the locker room, and the two made their peace, although they never met or spoke again.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
