Photograph by Lane Stewart

"'I never thought anyone would ever put Hogan in the shadows, but he did,' says Gene Sarazen. 'Nicklaus has the remarkable combination of power and finesse, and he is one of the smartest guys ever to walk the fairways. And he has been an extraordinary leader. What more is there to say? Jack Nicklaus is the greatest competitor of them all.'"

Text by Frank Deford
Issue Date: December 25, 1978

In 1978 Jack Nicklaus added a third British Open title to his five Masters championships, three U.S. Opens and four PGA Championships. The Golden Bear defeated Simon Owen by two strokes and finished the year fourth on the money list with $256,672. At age 38, Nicklaus had already won 17 majors, more than any other player in the history of professional golf.