Jack Nicklaus is the exception that proves the rule. It is generally believed that a pro golfer reaches his peak when he is in his 30s. But at the age of 18, Jack's reputation was already established. Most of the great champions served their apprenticeship caddying for their predecessors, but not Nicklaus. He came from a well-to-do family— his father owned a chain of drugstores and he has never faced financial hardship.

Before joining the pro circuit at 22, Jack was already known as the best amateur player in the U.S., he was national champion in 1959 and 1961, and in 1962, his first pro season, he defeated Arnold Palmer for the U.S. Open Championship. Nicklaus took that title two other times, but he was even more successful in the Masters Open, which he won five times between 1963 and 1975. By the end of 1975, the "Golden Bear" of Columbus, Ohio, who got the nickname because of his immense power and blonde hair color, had won it all. All he needed was the Grand Slam (four victories in the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA in the same season). At the age of 36, in full command of his skills, he was capable of making this unprecedented record. Nicklaus became the second golfer after Arnold Palmer to earn more than $100,000 in a single season. His golf earnings from 1962 to 1976 totalled $2,541,722 and made him the sport's first multimillionaire. Palmer's total earnings, since 1955, were $1,723,113.

JACK NICKLAUS Born Jan. 21, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio. Entered pro competition in 1962

AWARDS AND RECORDS
6-time winner of the Byron Nelson Award, given to the golfer with the highest number of victories on the pro circuit in one season

Photo:Pondering a crucial shot