46 days until golf: Nicklaus wins 1986 Masters to become oldest champion

The PGA Tour plans to restart its season June 11 after halting due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each day until then, we'll highlight key moments, people, or facts relating to where we are in the countdown.

Jack Nicklaus had gone five years without winning a major prior to the 1986 Masters. His legendary career was coming to an end and opportunities to win major No. 18 were dwindling.

Through three days, Nicklaus posted rounds of 74-71-69 and faced a four-shot deficit heading into Sunday. He needed to chase down Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, and Tom Watson in order to secure a sixth green jacket. His chances looked bleak.

After playing the first eight holes at even par and still sitting well back of the leaders, Nicklaus turned in the most brilliant closing stretch of golf ever witnessed at Augusta National.

"The Golden Bear" played the final 10 holes at 7-under par, which included an eagle-birdie-birdie run through holes 15-17. Thanks to a Ballesteros bogey on the par-5 15th and a Norman bogey on No. 18, Nicklaus hung on to become the oldest Masters champion at the age of 46.

Here's Nicklaus discussing his 18th major title and what would become his final PGA Tour victory: