Jack Nicklaus recounts relationship with Latrobe native Arnold Palmer after 1962 U.S. Open

OAKMONT — Jack Nicklaus kickstarted his professional golf career by winning his first of his 18 major championships at Oakmont Country Club, taking down Latrobe native Arnold Palmer in a monumental 1962 U.S. Open.

Nicklaus would knock off Palmer in an 18-hole playoff for the first of his four U.S. Open titles, which began a rivalry and also created a close relationship between the two Hall of Famers.

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When Nicklaus arrived on the professional scene at 21 years old, Palmer already was one of the game’s best, winning three of his seven major championships before Nicklaus turned pro in 1961.

Even while Palmer was at the top of his game, Nicklaus recounts being mentored by Palmer through his early years, with the pair connecting on a deep level in the years to follow.

“Arnie was the guy you had to beat if you wanted to win and particularly here,” Nicklaus said on Saturday, June 14, to reporters in a press conference during the third round of the 125th U.S. Open. “I never really considered him as someone different. He took me under his wing when I turned pro and treated me as an equal. Arnold became one of the closest friends that I have ever had in the game.”

Coming into that 1962 U.S. Open, Nicklaus had little professional experience or local knowledge of western Pennsylvania, but was confident.

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“I didn’t know anything about Oakmont coming into the 1962 championship,” Nicklaus said. “I came in 10 days before the tournament and played a couple of times. I finished second in 1960 and fourth in 1961 (at the U.S. Open) so I felt like this was my open to win. But as a 22-year-old, I didn’t realize I was in Arnold Palmer’s backyard.”

After his victory, Nicklaus completed the career grand slam in 1966, eventually winning the Masters Tournament six times, five PGA Championships and three British Open titles. He also was named PGA Player of the Year on five occasions.

Still making an impact on the game at age 85, he reflected this week on how Palmer grew the game when he was at the top.

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“Arnold in many ways popularized the game of golf,” Nicklaus said. “He came along when television started. Maybe television was great for Arnold, but Arnold was great for television and great for the game. He had a flair about him that nobody else had and people loved him. He earned what he got.”

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer created friendship, rivalry at 1962 US Open