Nissan noticed and thought it might sell some Glorias. So they went with Jack Nicklaus, a golf star big enough that I know his name despite only ever putting to victory on courses that featured windmills, loop-de-loops, and soft-serve ice cream at the end.

“Bobby Jones was my idol,” Nicklaus said many years later. “I loved what he represented in the game of golf.”

The Nicklaus Golf Trail

• Alhama Signature Course. Par: 72 | Year Opened: 2009 | Length: 6,884 metres.
• Hacienda Riquelme. Par: 72 | Year Opened: 2007 | Length: 6,416 metres.
• La Torre. Par: 68 | Year Opened: 2004 | Length: 5,350 metres.
• El Valle. Par: 71 | Year Opened: 2004 | Length: 6,145 metres.
• Mar Menor.
• Saurines Desert course.

His overpowering physical tools were nearly gone in his 40s. It was Jack's mind that made him so successful, and it was still the best in the game - I think he has the greatest mind in the history of golf.

Nicklaus had 57 runner-up finishes in his career and 269 top-10s while Woods had 31 runner-up finishes, or 26 behind Nicklaus, and 199 top-10s, 60 less than the Golden Bear. With the exception of total wins, Nicklaus beats Woods in every category. He's now 83, and it says here he's still the GOAT.

As we have highlighted in this feature of Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses, Nicklaus favours fast greens, wide fairways, water hazards and bunkers in his designs, and this is no exception. American in style, its spectacular length accompanies 5 large lakes and 116 strategically placed bunkers.

His first design Harbour Town Golf Links, co-credited with Dye, was opened for play in 1969. A subsequent early, yet more prominent design was Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio which opened in 1974 and has hosted the Memorial Tournament since its inception in 1976.

The argument for Nicklaus is pretty simple: he won the most majors and had even more runner-up finishes in the biggest events. While five players have won the Players twice (Woods included), Nicklaus is the only player to win the Tour's flagship event three times, doing so in the event's first 5 years.

Nicklaus had 57 runner-up finishes in his career and 269 top-10s while Woods had 31 runner-up finishes, or 26 behind Nicklaus, and 199 top-10s, 60 less than the Golden Bear. With the exception of total wins, Nicklaus beats Woods in every category.

Who is the best golfer of all time? Based on the number of victories alone, Jack Nicklaus is hands down the best golfer of all time. He has a total of 73 PGA Tour wins, 10 Champions Tour trophies, and overall 115 worldwide wins. So, that's the answer for who is the best golf player in the world and of all time.

Jack Nicklaus is, simply put, the greatest champion in golf history. His record of achievement and sustained excellence within the game are unmatched. Jack was recognized as golfer of the 20th Century or Golfer of the Millennium by almost every major golf publication and media outlet in the world.

But in between, Williams was there for a heck of a lot of Woods' life, on and off the course. He was by Woods' side for 13 major championship victories, serving as his caddie, and he was by Woods' side on his wedding day, too, serving as best man.