Nicklaus Exempted Again

Jack Nicklaus accepted a special exemption from the USGA to the 1997 U.S. Open, extending two of the most remarkable streaks in sports with his 41st consecutive Open and 142nd straight major championship.

It was the fifth special exemption given to Nicklaus by the USGA since 1991.

Nicklaus, 56, played well in this year’s U.S. Open at Oakland Hills, shooting a third-round 69 and making the leaderboard briefly on Sunday before finishing tied for 27th place.

Jim Colbert has been here before.

Last year, he had to win the Senior Tour Championship and watch Dave Stockton fade to earn the money title. This year, he’s $66,004 behind Hale Irwin as the Senior PGA Tour holds its season-ending tournament, which starts today at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Colbert will be paired with Irwin the first two rounds.

Irwin enters the 31-player elite field with two victories, including the PGA Senior and $1,572,894 in earnings. He has finished in the top 10 in all but two of his 22 events.

Colbert has won five times in 31 tournaments.