Sports rivalries can often turn ugly, sometimes extending even after the stars retire. However, one particular rivalry between Jack Nicklaus and a certain contemporary of his belongs to the list of exceptions. The way he outplayed Nicklaus in the playoff for the US Open 1972 still often gets discussed in the golf community. 

Although a former rival of the golf legend Jack Nicklaus, this former PGA Tour Pro has always spoken highly of Nicklaus. Keeping up with his fond remarks about his old pal, the 84-year-old recently spoke about him and shared a few thoughts about the Golden Bear. 

Jack Nicklaus gets heaps of praise from former rival

The 84-year-old legendary golfer Lee Trevino appeared in the golf podcast ‘No Laying Up’ speaking about his many memorable moments with the sport. The discussion inevitably touched upon the star’s relationship with Jack Nicklaus, a frenemy. 

The 29-time PGAT winner claimed he worked hard because Nicklaus worked hard. He felt that this was probably what his rival respected in him. Trevino revealed that Nicklaus often practiced in private. He said, “People don’t know how hard he worked.” 

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As Trevino described it, “[Nicklaus] had two putting greens at his house and one was Bermuda and one was bent.” Nicklaus was meticulous, having different putting greens with specific grass types at his home. This shows his strategic approach to practicing, even when away.

Lee Trevino also appreciated the down-to-earth nature of Jack Nicklaus. He felt it was important “because he came up, in other words, in a white collar world, and he’s never flaunted it or anything else.”

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The two stars went head-to-head in the 1970s. Trevino played the underdog role, challenging the dominance that Nicklaus held in the sport. Listening to Trevino speak now, it’s quite hard to believe that these two shared a rivalry back in the day. 

Trevino backs Nicklaus in the heated GOAT debate

Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino may have been rivals during their times, but that hardly ever comes up in discussions anymore. When he gets to talk about his former nemesis, Trevino often gets soft and speaks highly of him. 

This includes the time when fans compared Tiger Woods with Jack Nicklaus in a debate about who is the GOAT. Needless to say, the loyal Trevino stood by Nicklaus and claimed that with the modern equipment, Nicklaus’ strength would have outplayed any current stalwart.

Do you think Jack Nicklaus is the golf GOAT? Or is it Tiger Woods? Tell us in the comments. 

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