Still Swinging : Nicklaus’ Shoulder Feels Better, so He Makes Rare Start at La Costa

It was only about six months ago that Jack Nicklaus was seriously considering retiring. His right shoulder hurt so much he couldn’t lift his arm. He thought he had a rotator cuff problem.

By the time he went to the U.S. Senior Open last July, he didn’t have much hope of continuing golf.

“I thought if I didn’t play well, I probably wouldn’t play anymore--maybe ever,” Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus not only played well at Cherry Hills, he won, his first tournament victory in more than two years.

Now, two weeks from his 54th birthday, he’s expanding his schedule. For the first time in nine years, he’s playing in the PGA Tour’s season opener, the Mercedes Championships, formerly known as the Tournament of Champions.

The 72-hole, $1.5-million competition, in which both senior and regular tour golfers play simultaneously for separate titles, starts today at La Costa Resort and Spa.

“If I continue to feel as well as I do right now, I will play a couple of more senior events,” Nicklaus said. “I also may stay out here after Pebble Beach and play in the L.A. Open.”

At La Costa, only tournament champions qualify--25 from the regular tour and 19 from the seniors are entered.

Al Geiberger has won the last two senior titles at La Costa. Other seniors entered include Raymond Floyd, Lee Trevino, Dave Stockton, Bob Charles and George Archer.

The regular tour players entered include defending champion Davis Love III, Greg Norman and Fred Couples. Last year’s top PGA money winner, Nick Price, ailing Paul Azinger and Masters champion Bernhard Langer did not enter.

First prize for the regular tour players is $180,000. For the seniors, it’s $100,000. The only concession to the seniors is a course 207 yards shorter.

Nicklaus said he was pleasantly surprised by La Costa.

“I’ve never seen it in such great condition,” he said. “The whole place looks different. But in my practice round (Tuesday), I birdied the last two holes.”

More than the birdies gave Nicklaus reason for optimism.

“For 10 years, I was having trouble with my driver,” he said. “Two weeks ago, Jim Flick and Rick Smith worked with me on my swing. I played with Greg Norman yesterday and I was hitting my drives as far as he did. Until my two teachers got me to flatten my swing, he was outdriving me 40 yards.”

A series of stretching exercises has improved the shoulder. “It only hurts when I make a bad shot,” Nicklaus said.