2005 British Open my last, says Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus expects this July’s British Open at St Andrews to bring down the curtain on his tournament career – the most successful in golf history.

The 65-year-old, who made his farewell to the Masters in April, loses his exemption after this year’s championship.

He last played the British Open in 2000 when it was also at the home of golf – scene of his victories in 1970 and 1978.

At Augusta Nicklaus, who has been through family tragedy this year with the death of his grandson Jake in a hot-tub accident, cried and hugged his son Jack jnr as he played his final hole.

“I expect I will be just as emotional at St Andrews – I am a sentimental old fool,” said the Golden Bear yesterday after flying into Britain for the launch of a Polaris World golf and property development in Spain.