DUBLIN, Ohio – Jack Nicklaus had planned to be in Muirfield Village when the charity workday ended on Sunday, but those plans changed after officials got on the tees in the last round due to inclement weather.
Since the Golden Bear was unable to make time to congratulate the winner of the first of the consecutive events at Muirfield Village, he instead sent a message to the champion – or at least he thought.
While Justin Thomas was sinking a 50 foot per bird in the first playoff hole in a playoff against Collin Morikawa, Nicklaus’ plane was preparing to take off.
“Barbara and I both wrote to Justin,” Nicklaus explained, “and said to him: ‘Wow, what a fantastic putt, an incredible super super putt; I can’t believe you made that putt. Now you have a chance to win two of row. ‘”
It wasn’t until the flight reached 10,000 feet that Nicklaus was able to access the Internet and realize that Collin Morikawa had also made birdies on the first hole of the playoffs and continued to win on the additional third hole.
“I had to send [Thomas] another message and say, “Ooops, a little premature.” “Nicklaus laughed.” He was good at it. He replied and said, “It’s all right, all right.” “
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