Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus pressed both hands to his lips for a farewell kiss to the crowd as he walked off the 18th green Friday afternoon at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio. Two groups behind him, Tiger Woods moved quickly into contention. An emotional day at Muirfield Village ended with Jeff Sluman, whom Nicklaus picked as an assistant captain at the last Presidents Cup, staying atop the leaderboard after a one-under-par 71, putting him at eight-under 136.

Even after Jeff Sluman polished off his best round of the year, a seven-under 65 that gave him a one-shot lead in the Memorial at Dublin, Ohio, he was quick to ask the question on just about every player's mind Thursday. What did Jack shoot?

Jack Nicklaus announced he will retire from competitive golf after the British Open and Ray Ratto, in a special to ESPN.com, declared, "Here's hoping he holds true to his word." Assuring he meant no disrespect, Ratto continued, "It's just that, well, we get a little worried when athletes announce they've had enough, and then decide they haven't after all.

The Golden Age of golf officially ends at the British Open in July, according to the Golden Bear. Jack Nicklaus, who has hinted about retirement for several years, on Monday told Associated Press in England that the British Open July 14-17 at St. Andrews would be the last time he tees up in an official tournament. "From a tournament standpoint that will be it for me," Nicklaus said. "I will play a few skins games and father-sons, but from any kind of tournament involvement, that's it."

With Jack Nicklaus in the front seat, a green-roofed golf cart traveled over a muddy asphalt path toward the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club, through a crowd of fans who watched and waited near the huge, white Masters scoreboard. They made way for Nicklaus when he came closer, and as he did, they cheered and clapped and called his name. From where he sat, he could observe a brief but sentimental farewell tour. Nicklaus smiled, waved once or twice and rode off around the corner.

Jack Nicklaus was talking about his grandson. Even at the age of 17 months, little Jake Nicklaus might have been his grandfather's favorite. Something about that kid. Jake's parents said that every time he saw his grandpa come in the room, he stood up and held his arms wide apart. Jake would hug his grandfather so tightly that not even his mother could separate them. Jake's proud parents, Steve and Krista Nicklaus, said this was one smart boy. Grandpa Jack said the kid was set for life.

Jack Nicklaus is 65, he has had his hip replaced and also arthroscopic surgery on his back, though he would surely say nothing can match the pain he and his family have endured since his grandson drowned nearly a month ago. Since 17-month-old Jake Nicklaus, the son of Steve Nicklaus and his wife Krista, died in a hot tub at their North Palm Beach home, Nicklaus has said he's not sure whether he will play the Masters for a 45th time next week.

Jack Nicklaus had planned to squeeze in a few trips to Augusta National this month, making sure his 65-year-old body was fit and his game was good enough to compete in the Masters. Now, the Masters is the last thing on his mind. "I think with what's happened to us in our family, my time is going to be spent in much different ways," Nicklaus said Monday in Jupiter, Fla., in his first public comments since his 17-month-old grandson drowned in a hot tub. "That's the most important thing right now.

Jack Nicklaus said he was "shocked" by his performance in the Champions Skins Game. His opponents weren't even surprised. Returning from a long layoff after back surgery, Nicklaus won 11 consecutive skins for a career-high $340,000 on Saturday in a runaway victory over Craig Stadler. "I'm totally shocked. I have no way to explain it," said Nicklaus, who boosted his career Champion Skins Game records to $2,005,000 and 78 skins.