Nicklaus Sets Sights On Open In 2000

It’s the end of a British Open era, said Jack Nicklaus. His era.

After playing in every British Open since 1962, Nicklaus said his streak is over. He isn’t coming to Royal Lytham next summer and probably won’t enter another one until St. Andrews in 2000 when he would play his last.

“By then, I’m sure it will be like Arnold’s visit, more ceremonial than for the golf,” Nicklaus said.

Arnold Palmer, 65, played his last British Open this week and missed the cut. Nicklaus, 55, shot 78-70-77-71 and birdied the 18th for a 72-hole score of 296, 8-over par.

Nicklaus won British Open titles in 1966 at Muirfield and in 1970 and 1978 at St. Andrews, but his best finish in the last 15 years was 10th in 1982 at Troon.

Nicklaus finished 34th in his first British Open in 1962 when Palmer won at Troon.

“I love to come to Britain,” Nicklaus said. “That is why I have come over here every year, but you have to stop sometime.”

Surprise winner

The duel for the amateur’s medal in the British Open was supposed to have been between U.S. champion Tiger Woods and home-grown titlist Gordon Sherry.

It went to Steve Webster.

The 20-year-old Englishman put together the most consistent rounds of the four amateurs who made it through the competition and, although he can’t take any prize money, he took home a silver medal.

Webster shot a 1-over-par 73 on Sunday to go rounds of 70, 72 and 74 and now hopes to make Britain’s Walker Cup team that will face the United States, Woods included, in Porthcawl, Wales, in September.

“It’s been a great week,” said Webster, who just missed finishing the tournament with a birdie before a huge gallery. “I do not think it will all sink in until I get home. Walking up the last fairway tonight was just a brilliant experience.”

Webster’s total of 289 tied him for 24th place.

Sherry, tipped by five-time titlist Tom Watson and two-time winner Greg Norman as a star of the future, shared 40th with a 291 total after a 76.

Woods finished with a 78 for 295 for a share of 68th. The fourth amateur to make the cut, Englishman Gary Clark, shot a 74 for a 301 total.

Maori misery

Losing a two-stroke lead in the final round of the British Open would devastate a lot of players. Michael Campbell, who carded a 4-over 76, did it Sunday in only his second visit to the championship.

“I’m happy but disappointed,” said Campbell, a 26-year-old Maori from New Zealand. “I had my chances, but it was not to be.”

Campbell, who finished a stroke behind the 282 totalled by winner John Daly and Costantino Rocca, suggested that Rocca’s 65-foot putt at the 18th to force a playoff ranks with the best in the Open’s 124-year history.

“As we came off I said: ‘Good luck, I think you can do it,”’ Campbell said. “He is a good friend of mine. But John’s score today was fantastic, especially in the wind conditions.”

Costly bogey

Mark Brooks didn’t know it at the time. But his double bogey on the par-4 16th cost him the title.

The American’s par-birdie finish earned him a 1-under 71 and a 5-under total of 283. It was only later that Daly slipped to 6-under to finish regulation tied with Rocca.

Brooks’ 16th-hole disaster followed two birdies that put him in contention. He drove into a pot bunker at the 413-yard hole, managed to dig the ball out and three putted for a six.

“I felt I needed just one more good break,” he said.