President Bush presents PGA champion Jack Nicklaus with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, during ceremonies at the White House. The medal citation read: Jack Nicklaus set the standard for golf excellence. He won 73 PGA Tour events, six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens, three British Opens, and two U.S. Amateurs. From his playoff victory as a 22-year-old at the U.S. Open in 1962 to his legendary charge down the back nine at Augusta in 1986, Jack Nicklaus succeeded with dramatic flair and steely determination. He always conducted himself with class and treated his fellow golfers and fellow Americans with respect. The United States honors Jack Nicklaus for his contributions to American sport and for being the greatest golfer of all time. [1]

The Jack Nicklaus Edition of the Lincoln Town Car

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (January 21, 1940-), nicknamed the Golden Bear, wearing a suit and tie while sitting in a chair, smiling, and holding a microphone in his hands.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (January 21, 1940-), nicknamed the Golden Bear, wearing a striped shirt under a white sweater vest, holding an iron in his hands.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus speaking at a podium outside the Ohio Statehouse during a ceremony where he was honored as the "World's Greatest Golfer." See also: "'Golden Bear' Honored" in the Columbus Dispatch, August 4, 1980, page 1-A; and "Nicklaus Turns To Golf Again" in the Columbus Dispatch, August 5, 1980, page 1-D.

Professional golfers Jack Nicklaus, left in brown and white striped shirt, and Gene Littler, right in blue pants and white shirt, stand together on a green during the first round of the 1980 Memorial Tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. The golf tournament took place May 22-25, 1980. David Graham won the tournament by one stroke over Tom Watson. Nicklaus and Littler were part of a threesome with Fuzzy Zoeller during the first two rounds.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (January 21, 1940-), nicknamed the Golden Bear, wearing a striped shirt under a white sweater vest, gesturing with his right hand.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (January 21, 1940-), nicknamed the Golden Bear, wearing a striped shirt under a white sweater vest, with his right hand on his chin.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus (January 21, 1940-), nicknamed the Golden Bear, wearing a striped shirt under a white sweater vest, with his eyes closed.

A view of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus with fans on the day of the 1984 Memorial Tournament pro-am at the Muirfield Village Golf Club.