‘No Arnold [Palmer]’: Birthday Boy Jack Nicklaus’ Bold Choice That Featured Tiger Woods Leaves Fans Polarized

After a player retires, their illustrious career achievements continue to stay on with the greatness as an example for future generations to look for. Retired American professional golfer Jack Nicklaus has set an example for other golf enthusiasts with his career. He won 18 majors, the highest of any player, along with 73 PGA Tour wins. The wins are a testament to his great presence on the course.

Amid birthday celebrations, fans have gone to praise and remember the legend’s most memorable moments. On his 85th birthday, Golf Digest shared a video of his preferences of his all-time golfing greats, which left fans rather polarized. The list included some prominent names, and missed out on some other, which prompted mixed reactions from fans.

In the video, he was asked about his preferences for his Mount Rushmore of golfing. ‘The Golden Bear’ replied, “Probably be Bobby Jones, probably be Ben Hogan, probably Tiger Woods.” And for the last one, he said, “I’d like to join them, myself. That’s four.”

His list includes 13-time major winner and grand slam winner of 1930, Bobby Jones, along with the 9-time major winner, Ben Hogan, and the 15-time major winner, Tiger Woods. Even though the list had some of the top names, fans chose to share the missing names that could have been on the list.

Fans shared views on Jack Nicklaus’s top picks

‘The Golden Bear’ is a fan favorite. However, his picks for the Mount Rushmore of golf didn’t sit well for fans, as they snubbed his choices in favor of their favorites. One fan wrote, “Shocked he didn’t say Taylor Gooch.” Another fan joined in writing, “scottie scheffler scottie scheffler scottie scheffler and scottie scheffler.” The only player that the fans wanted to be on Mount Rushmore is the current world No.1 who had an exceptional 2024 year with seven wins and an Olympic gold.

Other than this, a majority of the fans chose one prominent name with comments like, “No Arnold?”, “No palmer?”, and “Palmer?”. Not only this, more Palmer fans joined in writing, “Honourable mention, Arnold Palmer,” and “Arnie needs to be there as well.”

Arnold Palmer is a worthy contender to be on the list because of his illustrious career of 92 wins, including 62 in the PGA Tour and seven major wins. He even won the PGA Tour Player of the Year twice. Another fan, unsatisfied with Nicklaus’ list, shared their own, “I know it’s only 4 but not Palmer, Watson, Player, or Snead?”

Choosing the top 4 names is a tough one, with many players in the history of golf having a story-worthy career. Every individual will have a separate preference for their Mt. Rushmore of golfing greats. However, one thing is for sure is that Nicklaus’ list has top players which a majority of the fans have agreed with.

Did you agree with Jack Nicklaus’s pick? Who would be your pick for Mt. Rushmore of golf? Drop your pick in the comments section below.