John Daly on Playing Together With Jack Nicklaus: ‘It Was One of the Greatest Holes That I’d Ever Played’

One cannot think of the PGA Tour without thinking of Jack Nicklaus and his career. Along with Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, Nicklaus helped shape the game, tour, and popularize the sport. In an interview last year, a few golf personalities spoke of their time with Nicklaus, recounting their favorite moment with the 81-year-old.

During the interviews, John Daly spoke about his favorite moment with Nicklaus. While Daly followed a completely different career path, he has made his own mark in the golf world.

Daly’s memory of Nicklaus comes from a professional tournament, which highlights why Nicklaus is who he is today.

John Daly shares his favorite Jack Nicklaus memory

Nicklaus and Daly were both active during the 90s, which is why Daly recalled their time playing at Doral in 1994. “I got paired with Jack at Doral one year. It was great to play a tournament round with Jack Nicklaus,” he said.

READ MORE: WATCH: Is Phil Mickelson Playing Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas?

He explained that he hit a good drive off the tee, and only had one eight-iron left into the green. “Jack shanks a 4-iron that goes about 20 yards into the right-hand rough. Then he takes out a 6-iron and hits it to within a foot of the hole. Ends up tying me,” Daly added. He explained that it showed how great Nicklaus was back then, to make it back from a shot like that.

“It was one of the greatest holes that I’d ever played”. 

Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Patrick Cantlay, Bubba Watson, and Barbara Nicklaus are other PGA Tour stars who spoke.

A look at their PGA Tour careers

Daly, who is known for his colorful pants and personality today; made his presence with the 1991 PGA Championship win. He has won five events in total, two of which are major championships. His second win was the Open Championship in 1995. Daly’s Champions Tour debut was in 2016, his sole win the Insperity Invitational in 2017.

Nicklaus, on his end, turned professional in 1961. The legend won 73 PGA Tour titles, including 18 major victories. While he did play on the PGA Tour Champions, winning 10 titles, he retired from golf in 2005. His last major win was in 1986 (The Masters).

Having said that, no one can deny what Nicklaus has done for the game, all while playing excellent golf. Daly is only among many golfers who have appreciated his game. What do you think of Daly’s Nicklaus story? Do you have a favorite Nicklaus moment as well?

READ MORE: Hero World Challenge Venue: Albany Golf Club Location, Course Record, Yardage, and Other Major Details