Palmer, Nicklaus Have to Play Best Ball to Have a Shot in Open

It was only practice, but Arnold Palmer, 64, and Jack Nicklaus, 54, played a round together at Oakmont Country Club for the first time since their U.S. Open playoff in 1962. Nicklaus won, on Father’s Day.

What’s next, Grandfather’s Day?

Nicklaus smiled when Palmer talked about playing Oakmont for the first time at 12, recalling the short trees along the fairways and the railroad track that bisected the course more than a half-century ago.

“Were there cars?” Nicklaus asked as Palmer threw his head back and laughed.

Driving might be a problem for Nicklaus. Palmer is worried about getting the ball on the green. They both are worried about their games.

“Maybe we can play alternate ball,” Palmer suggested. “I’ll drive it, Jack can get it on the greens and we’ll get somebody else to putt it.”

Palmer, who hasn’t played in the U.S. Open since 1983 at Oakmont, said he would like to play “respectable” golf.

“What are my chances of that?” he asked. “On a scale of 10, I’d say about three or four.”

It is Palmer’s 34th U.S. Open.

“I’m not unhappy,” he said. “Everything comes to an end. It should be my final Open. It’s that time.”