Final Hole, 1977 Open Championship

For me, it doesn't get any better than Nicklaus vs. Watson. After an epic battle, Watson leads by one going into the final hole, and fires a perfect 178 yard approach shot to within a few feet of the cup. Nicklaus, in trouble off the tee, hits a brilliant recovery shot from under a gorse bush to the back of the green, thirty-five feet from the hole. Fighting to the last, the Golden Bear drains his long birdie putt, making Watson's short birdie try for the victory more than just a ceremonial tap-in.

Great players both, Nicklaus and Watson are also two of golf's greatest sportsmen. Despite shooting a final round 4-under par sixty-six, Jack came up a single stroke short to Watson's sixty-five. Gracious in defeat, the great man put his arm around Watson in congratulations as the two mighty champions strode together off the 18th green. Magic.

Without question, the '77 Open was one of the greatest ever. If you haven't, pick up Michael Corcoran's excellent account of the championship, Duel in the Sun: Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in the Battle of Turnberry. It's a fantastic telling of an epic match and a definite must-read.