Jack William Nicklaus (born January 21, 1940), also known as "The Golden Bear", is regarded by many as the greatest professional golfer of all time. Nicklaus, who holds the record for the most victories in major championships (18), was continuously ranked as the world's number one golfer on Arnold Palmer vied for that status in public acclaim). From 1978, while much younger players such as Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros came to be ranked higher than him, Nicklaus continued to regularly challenge for and indeed win many major titles through 1986, representing a full quarter-century of competing at the very highest level of his sport. Indeed, over the course of this 25-year period of 100 major championships as a professional, Nicklaus finished either first or second 36 times, in the top three 45 times, the top five 54 times, and the top 10 67 times. Nicklaus and the other 45 major champions during this period combined for a total of 119 major championship victories, 704 official PGA Tour wins, and over 820 additional individual professional victories (excludes Champions Tour events, etc.). While other marquee players such as Nick Faldo, Tom Kite, Nick Price, Payne Stewart, and Curtis Strange were winning numerous tournaments worldwide, they had yet to break through with major wins prior to 1987, but were proven to be on the verge of doing so. These series of facts make this period arguably the most competitive in the history of professional golf and illustrate Nicklaus' ability and durability over time.

After winning two U.S. Amateur Championships in 1959 and 1961, and challenging for the 1960 U.S. Open, Nicklaus turned professional toward the end of 1961. The 1962 U.S. Open was both Nicklaus' first major championship victory and his first professional win. This win over Arnold Palmer began the on-course rivalry between the two. In 1966, Nicklaus won the Masters Tournament for the second year in a row, becoming the first golfer to achieve this, and also won The Open Championship, completing his career slam of major championships. After failing to win a major in 1968 and 1969, Nicklaus won another Open Championship in 1970.

Between 1971 and 1980, he would win a further nine major championships, overtake Bobby Jones' record of 13 majors, and become the first player to complete double and triple career slams of golf's four professional major championships. Nicklaus also won the prestigious Players Championship a record three times during this period. At the age of 46, Nicklaus claimed his 18th and final major championship at the 1986 Masters Tournament, becoming that championship's oldest winner. (Julius Boros is the oldest major championship winner, having won the 1968 PGA Championship at the age of 48.) Nicklaus joined the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour) in January 1990, when he became eligible, and by April 1996 had won 10 of the tour's tournaments, including eight of that tour's major championships despite playing a very limited schedule. He continued to play the four regular Tour majors until 2005, when he made his final appearances at The Open Championship and the Masters Tournament.

Nicklaus has also taken part in various off-course activities, including golf course design, charitable work, book writing, magazine article contributions, video productions, and running his own tournament on the PGA Tour, the Memorial Tournament. His thriving golf course design company is one of the largest in the world. Nicklaus' book writings vary from instructional to autobiographical, and his book Golf My Way is considered one of the best instructional golf books of all time (influencing Greg Norman among others) along with his video of the same name being the best-selling golf instructional to date.

Jack Nicklaus won 73 PGA Tour events in his career. Only one golfer won more. But in the majors, how do other golfers stack up against Nicklaus? They don't. Nicklaus won 18 professional majors - twice as many as all but one other golfer. He finished second 19 more times, and third nine times. In all, Nicklaus posted 48 Top 3 finishes, 56 Top 5 finishes and 73 Top 10 finishes.

Perhaps Tiger Woods will someday challenge that record. But for now, Nicklaus remains - by far - the most accomplished player in the history of major championship golf. And he did it all exhibiting great class and sportsmanship.

Nicklaus shot 51 in his first 9-hole round of golf at the age of 10. By age 12, he was winning the first of 6 straight Ohio State Junior titles. He missed the cut in his first U.S. Open in 1957 at age 17.

Nicklaus won the 1959 and 1961 U.S. Amateur titles while playing collegiately at Ohio State. He finished second to Arnold Palmer in the 1960 U.S. Open.

He turned pro in 1962, earning $33.33 in his first event as a pro. But things quickly got better, and he won his first major that year, defeating Palmer in an 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Open.

By age 26, Nicklaus had completed the career grand slam. Then he won all the majors a second time. And finally, with his 1978 British Open victory, he'd won them all at least three times each. His final major came in 1986, at the age of 46, with his sixth Masters.

Nicklaus played sparingly on the Senior PGA Tour, but won 10 times, including 8 senior majors. He founded and hosts the prestigious Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour.

Nicklaus brought power to the forefront in golf, being the longest driver of his generation. But he also was one of the best clutch putters ever, and his concentration skills were legendary.

Along the way, Nicklaus created his own equipment company and has designed hundreds of golf courses, among many off-course interests.

Jack Nicklaus was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

Tour Victories:
• PGA Tour: 73
• Senior PGA Tour: 10

Major Championships:
Professional: 18
• Masters: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
• U.S. Open: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980
• British Open: 1966, 1970, 1978
• PGA Championship: 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980

Amateur: 2
• U.S. Amateur: 1959, 1961

Awards and Honors:
• Member, World Golf Hall of Fame
• 8-time PGA Tour money leader
• 5-time PGA Tour Player of the Year
• Recipient, 2 "Golfer of the Century" awards
• Named "Athlete of the Decade" for the 1970s by Sports Illustrated
• Member of 6 U.S. Ryder Cup teams
• Captain, U.S. Ryder Cup team, 1983 and 1987
• Captain, U.S. Presidents Cup team, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007