However so what?
Golf’s best champion of all is again in St Andrews for the primary time in 18 years, to change into solely the third American – after Benjamin Franklin and Bobby Jones – to be given the liberty of the city.
Positive, the Outdated Course may give up a 59 this week, says Jack Nicklaus.
However he nonetheless marvels – “it’s mind-boggling” on the method the Outdated Course is as related at this time because it was when he first performed it almost 60 years in the past.
“After I first got here right here in 1964, I couldn’t imagine that St Andrews was a golf course that will nonetheless check golfers of that point.
“That’s, what, 60 years in the past? Shut. And it nonetheless exams the golfers presently. It’s a magical golf course.
“And to imagine the sport of golf primarily began right here, it simply completely mind-boggling to me that it nonetheless stands as much as the golfers of at this time.
“They may shoot low this week. So what? That’s form of the best way I have a look at it.
“They’re capturing low now in comparison with what they shot 100 years in the past. However instances change and golfers get higher, gear will get higher, situations get higher.
“However I don’t suppose it actually makes an entire lot of distinction, frankly. It’s St Andrews and it’s what it’s, and it’ll produce a superb champion. It at all times has. That’s the best way I have a look at it.”
Jack didn’t return after his well-known farewell on the 2005 Open as a result of he didn’t need “to dilute that for what it was, and it was incredible.”
“However after I obtained the invitation this time to be an honorary citizen of St Andrews and to observe Bob Jones and Benjamin Franklin, you realize I’ve obtained to return again. I’m positive it is going to be a really humbling expertise.
“I at all times stated St Andrews regarded like an previous gray city till the Open got here round. Hastily it simply lit up, and it was lovely.”
The Nicklaus idea for taking part in the Outdated Course – the place he gained the Open twice – is pretty easy. Self-discipline is every little thing.
“The sport has modified fairly a bit however St Andrews hasn’t. You’ve nonetheless obtained to play golf.
