The 4 best Jack Nicklaus moments

Jack Nicklaus turned 77 on Saturday. In honor of the 18-time major champion, here are the four best moments of his career.

4. 1962 U.S. Open

The 1962 United States Open was held at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, and for the game's biggest star, Arnold Palmer, it was supposed to be a layup. Palmer, the reigning Masters champion, was playing in his backyard, but Nicklaus shot a final-round 69 to Palmer's 71 to force an 18-hole playoff. Nicklaus would beat Palmer by three shots to claim his first PGA Tour and begin a contentious rivalry between the two.

3. 1972 U.S. Open

Nicklaus was fresh off a victory at the Masters and the Open was being held at Pebble Beach, the site of his 1961 U.S. Amateur triumph, for the first time. Nicklaus arrived at the par-3 17th hole with a three-shot lead over Bruce Crampton and hit one of the most famous shots in Open history when his 1-iron crashed off the flagstick for a kick-in birdie.

2. 1975 Masters

It's been called one of the best Masters Tournaments ever, with Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, and Tom Weiskopf fighting it out. Trailing by a shot, Nicklaus hit a poor tee shot at the par-3 16th, leaving him 40 feet and a tough two-putt. Nicklaus made the putt for birdie to tie Weiskopf, who was watching back on the tee, and eventually claimed his fifth green jacket.

1. The 1986 Masters

At age 46, believed to be done and without a Tour win since the 1984 Memorial, Nicklaus earned one of the greatest victories ever. He was 6-under on his round Sunday when he arrived at the par-4 17th tied with Seve Ballesteros and Tom Kite. After carefully looking over his 18-footer, Nicklaus rolled it in for his first lead of the tournament. He would par 18 and win his 18th and final major championship.

Happy birthday, Jack!