DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus’s pre-tournament press conference is always a highlight of the year on the golf beat. You never know what you’re going to learn or hear about the Golden Bear, who turned 85 in January. But the 18-time major winner is generous with his time and always candid, including admitting he was “surprised” that Rory McIlroy chose to skip the 2025 Memorial Tournament, a 72-man signature event with a $20 million purse.
Here are five things I learned from Jack’s presser:
Jack hearts Memorial’s 14th hole
Asked to name his favorite hole at Muirfield Village Golf Club’s, Nicklaus bobbed and weaved before landing on his favorite hole:
“I love short par-4s.