Your memories of the Golden Bear

Tiger Woods may eclipse the field in the modern game, but even the current world number one has to doff his cap to the greatest talent golf has ever seen - Jack Nicklaus.

The Golden Bear is set to bid an emotional farewell to The Open after a glorious career at the peak of the sport.

Nicklaus, who can boast an unrivalled 18 Major titles, admits that it was one of the finest moments of his wonderful career when he won the Claret Jug St Andrews in 1964.

So it is fitting that the final chapter in his Open book will be written at the course he loves so much.

The legendary American believes that for any player to be considered one of he all-time golfing greats they should be able to point to an Open victory on the Old Course.

Nicklaus will say goodbye to the adoring British crowds this weekend.

What are your abiding memories of the most successful player of all time? Send us your messages to the Golden Bear.

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Jack Nicklaus was and still is the reason why I play golf. To me he opitomised the sport. A gentleman who always tried his best even if there was no hope of winning the game. A man statuesque in victory and generous in defeat. As a mere 12 handicapper, I am still striving at 54 to make single figures. I still believe I can do it and always will keep trying. My greatest treasure is a signed card from his Muirfield Club. Good luck Jack, the game has benefited enormously from your presence and example and will be somewhat lacking without it. Thank you for hours of pleasure.
Angus Hunter, UK

The first two Open Championships I can remember as a child were in '1977 and 19'78. The first Nicklaus' epic battle with Tom Watson, which he lost, the second his great victory at St Andrews. To this day, his conduct in defeat and victory should be an example to all sportsmen.
Martin, UK

There'll never be anyone like Jack ever. The proof? The so-called great Tiger did not even have the grace to applaud him as he came off the 18th today. Give me Nicklaus everytime. Thanks for the memories Jack.
Sean Curtis, Ireland

Jack Nicklaus is the finest golfer ever to walk the planet. His record speaks for itself. But it's not just the number of wins that is staggering, it's the number of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places as well. Added together, they offer graphic proof that he was almost always in contention over a staggering periond of time. However, all of this is secondary to the fact that he is one of the finest gentlemen ever to walk onto a golf course. His name is a byword for sportsmanship linked to an ability to keep a sense of perspective, as was probably most graphically demonstrated by his action in conceding that famous putt to Tony Jacklin in the Ryder Cup in 1969, hard to imagine something like that happening in today's more fevered environment. Thanks, Jack, for all the enormous pleasure you have given me down the years. I don't think we will see your like again.
John Lewis, UK.

One of a kind comes to mind when thinking of the Golden Bear

  Brady Jefferson, USA

I think that Jack Nicklaus will be the greatest golfer of all time and rightly so. Whilst Tiger Woods is already a golfing legend, it is most unlikely that he will break Nicklaus' record of 18 Major Championships plus 19 runner ups.
Simon Porch, United Kingdom

One of a kind comes to mind when thinking of the Golden Bear, his talents will never be duplicated.
Brady Jefferson, USA

"Great" is a much-overused word when applied to sportsmen. Someone once said that the true test of greatness was to walk down a street anywhere in the world and be instantly recognised. That probably limits the list to Pele, Muhammed Ali and Jack Nicklaus.
Tony, UK

Jack is the Ali of golf and the 1986 Masters win proved that. He is the greatest!
Shaun Wolfe, England

Does anyone else share the sense of irony that as the great Jack Nicklaus left the 18th hole today, he passed Tiger Woods. It felt like to old champion giving way to the new ? Jack was the greatest.
Alan Kelly, Republic of Ireland