18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus' legacy is unmatched, and only a handful come even close to him. However, the Golden Bear believes he and his contemporaries missed out on the financial side of the game.

Nicklaus dominated the 1960s–1980s alongside 7-time major winner Arnold Palmer and 9-time major winner Gary Player, yet earned far less than modern-day players.

“I don’t think guys back in our era of Arnold and Gary and myself ever really became what you call wealthy. We did very well," said Nicklaus on The Big Swing episode. "We had no issues and no complaints. I certainly don’t have any complaints, but not anywhere near the standard of today.”

Nicklaus was spot on in The Big Swing With Jimmy Roberts episode. The Golden Bear ranks 349th at the moment on the PGA Tour’s Career Money Leaders list, with $5,734,031 from his staggering 73 Tour wins.

On the other hand, another golfing great, Tiger Woods, who played in the era when golf underwent a financial boom, ranks 1st on the list with $120,999,166 from his 82 Tour wins.

The difference is clear, and Nicklaus has a point. Signature events on the Tour can alone secure in the range of $3.6 million to $4 million for the winner.

When Nicklaus lifted his final major title at the 1986 Masters, he secured $144,000 from the win. To put it into perspective, World No.2 Rory McIlroy earned $4,500,000 with his second Masters win at Augusta this year.

Palmer came away with just $1,861,857 from his 62 wins, and Player secured $1,834,482 from his 24 wins.

With the rise of Woods, golf’s financial scenario went through a massive change. That has reaped benefits for the modern-day golfers.

Interestingly, Nicklaus claimed to have turned out an opportunity to make money from his own course.

Jack Nicklaus never profited from Muirfield Village

Muirfield Village, the venue of the prestigious Memorial Tournament, was founded by Nicklaus and officially opened in May 1974. However, the Golden Bear never earned a single penny from the golf club.

"Muirfield was probably the best thing, and I structured Muirfield so I couldn't make any money," Nicklaus said in the same interview.

Nicklaus places his integrity way above his financial interests.

"I was playing professional golf, and I wanted to bring all my guys into play. I didn't want my fellow professionals to come in and say, 'Jack's in here making money off of us,' so I structured it so I couldn't make any money.”

Even though finances from his playing career might not have been up to the mark, Nicklaus has certainly prioritized his legacy rather than chasing wealth.

What are your thoughts on Nicklaus’ statement? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker