2015 Masters: A look back at Jack Nicklaus' first green jacket
Jack Nicklaus won $20,000 in his first Masters win way back in 1963 when he beat Tony Lema by one stroke.
Here at Eye on Golf we are celebrating the history of the Masters as we prepare for the 2015 version of the event here in a few weeks. Today, we look back at Jack Nicklaus' first Masters win.
It's certainly not the most famous Masters Jack Nicklaus has won, but the first one is always special. In 1963, Nicklaus took the first of a record six green jackets with a 72 in the final round to beat Tony Lema by one stroke.
Nicklaus needed two putts on the final hole for the win. He said he was surprised when his first, a 25-footer, didn't go in. "Then I was surprised when the second one did," said Nicklaus to Sports Illustrated.
They were the only two golfers under par for the entire event: Nicklaus at 2 under and Lema at 1 under.
Nicklaus took home $20,000 for his efforts, which is laugh out loud-worthy by 2015 standards. Hiroyuki Fujita took home over $40,000 just for showing up to the 2015 Cadillac Championship, nevermind the 27 over he shot.
The 1963 Masters was the second of Nicklaus' 18 majors. It was also the first in a stretch of three green jackets in four years for the Golden Bear.
A Sports Illustrated writer by the name of Alfred Wright even predicted the future after this first one.
"Masters officials have to get his measurements now for that green winner's coat," wrote Wright.
"The size is 44 regular, and they may as well file it where it will be handy. Jack may earn a few more of those coats in the future."
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