1970 Jack Nicklaus Wins The Open at St Andrews

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By Golf Histories

It was an outcome prophesied by Henry Longhurst. As Doug Sanders played his approach shot to the 72nd green at St Andrews, the great commentator knew it wouldn’t be the last hole of The 99th Open.

The American was bidding for his first ever major and led Jack Nicklaus by one with seemingly two shots left to play on the par four. Sanders took three though, as he saw his lead combust in the blink of an eye.

The pair then competed in The Open’s first 18-hole playoff the next day, where the Golden Bear took victory in one of the most dramatic finishes in Championship history to claim his eighth major success.

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