'I found a little lightning in the bottle': Why Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters win remains so significant
Forty years later, Nicklaus' win in the 1986 Masters remains one of the most iconic moments in golf history.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — If you can, ask your father or grandfather about Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win 40 years ago in 1986. If you can’t, you can imagine what they’d say.
Greatest Masters ever. Greatest golf tournament ever. Among the greatest sports moments ever.
Brought a tear to my eye. When 46-year-old Nicklaus rolled in that long putt on the 17th hole to take the solo lead that long-ago April afternoon, when he donned his sixth green jacket, when he stared Father Time in the face and the clock blinked, he didn’t just win more accolades for himself. With that 1986 Masters win, Jack Nicklaus created the greatest Dad Moment in American sports history.
How many fathers, trapped between wanting to relive their own youth and wanting to pass on lessons to their children, connected with Nicklaus’ win? How many men and women alike could understand what it’s like to feel like you’ve got more to give, even when the rest of the world has decided you’re done? “Obviously, '86 was the one that I wasn't expected to win,” Nicklaus said Thursday morning after his ceremonial tee shot to begin the 2026 Masters.
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