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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Honorary Starters Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus of the United States wait on the first tee during the first round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Honorary Starters Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus of the United States wait on the first tee during the first round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
When thinking about the greatest golfers of all time, one can retain only a few names. While some might count Tiger Woods in it, others might want to go a little behind in time. You got that right, it was the Jack Nicklaus – Arnold Palmer era! Two of the most successful players to have ever played professional golf, Nicklaus and Palmer were also the biggest rivals. However, there was a time when the duo came so close, that even their wives became best friends!
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When Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer shared a bond beyond Bromance
Jack Nicklaus is considered the GOAT of golf. An inspiration to legends like Tiger Woods, the golf great has made tons of unmatched records on the field. Moreover, his 18 major championship victories haven’t been touched by any other player yet! But there was one man who Nicklaus considered his biggest competitor in professional golf. And it was none other than Arnold Palmer!
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WOODLANDS, TX – MAY 04: Jack Nicklaus (L) and Arnold Palmer walk to the third green during the Greats of Golf exhibition at the Insperity Championship at the Woodlands Country Club on May 4, 2013, in Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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Known as the most charismatic player in the game’s history, Palmer won several tournaments on the PGA Tour. He also made a few records on the PGA Tour of Champions circuit during his time on the field. And his infamous rivalry with Nicklaus was one of the biggest controversies among fans at the time. But little did anyone know that the two would later turn out to be great friends.
Nicklaus and Palmer soon ended their rivalry and formed a beautiful relationship with each other. But after the latter passed away in 2016, Nicklaus was broken to the core. Looking back at their amazing bond, the golf legend once described how close he and his wife Barbara were to Palmer and his wife Winnie.
According to Nicklaus, whenever he disagreed with Palmer, their wives stepped in and resolved their issues. “If Arnold and I had a difference, Winnie and Barbara got together and would say, ‘Hey, you two, this is the way it is,’” Nicklaus recalled.
Read More: Arnold Palmer Once Taught a 19-Year-Old Jack Nicklaus a Valuable Lesson About the Game of Golf
Barbara also explained how her relationship with Winnie Palmer evolved due to their husbands’ friendship. “I think I was very fortunate when Jack came out on Tour that Arnie and Winnie were there,” she said. “Winnie has been a great friend to me. She always has kind of been my role model and my idol out there. Any questions I had I could go to Winnie.”
Both legendary athletes have had wonderful careers for themselves during their young golfing years. Nicklaus continues to miss his old friend and is currently working towards helping out several charities. The two were not just role models for the game, but also their unbreakable fellowship.
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Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui