(CNN) Tears welled in his eyes as the emotion bubbled up inside, but Jack Nicklaus knew he had to keep playing.
He was washed up, they said, yet here he was making a charge at a sixth Masters title at the age of 46. He hadn't won a major for six years, but the "Golden Bear" was emerging from hibernation.
The spectators packed around Augusta' sun-dappled 16th green rose to their feet, arms thrust skywards, as the old warrior, his yellow shirt hunched over in that familiar putting stance, sank another birdie to get to within one shot of the lead.
The roars reverberating around the towering pines was "quadrophonic," coming from all sides, according to his playing partner Sandy Lyle. Few could have predicted this kind of hullabaloo.
But Nicklaus, the record 17-time major champion, knew nostalgia couldn't hit the shots for him. He had to quell his own excitement and harness the energy.
"The ovation was unbelievable," said Nicklaus. "I kept getting tears in my eyes, but I was saying, 'Hey let's hold that back, you've got some golf to play.'"
Tiger Woods' remarkable redemption story in winning in 2019 may have sent tremors around the world, but Nicklaus at Augusta in 1986 was equally seismic.
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Jack Nicklaus career in pictures
Jack Nicklaus is arguably the greatest golfer the world has ever seen. His record 18 major titles and 19 runner-up spots have set an almost impossible target for the rest.
Nicklaus was born in Ohio in January 1940 and took up golf at the age of 10. He won the US Amateur title in 1959 and 1961 and finished second behind Arnold Palmer in the 1960 US Open while still an amateur.
He turned pro at the age of 21 in 1961 and won his first title in the paid ranks at the 1962 US Open, beating Palmer in an 18-hole play-off. So began one of golf's greatest rivalries as as this young upstart threatened to usurp the hero of Arnie's Army.
In 1966 Nicklaus won his third Masters and then added a sixth major title at the British Open at Muirfield in Scotland. All by the age of 26.
Another British Open title came at St Andrews in 1970 at the age of 30 for Nicklaus' eighth major, taking him ahead of Palmer.
By the summer of 1977 Nicklaus was on 14 majors but hadn't won one for two years. At the British Open at Turnberry he and reigning Masters champion Tom Watson were forced to take shelter from a storm on the third day before both shooting 65s to rocket clear of the field.
In what became known as the Duel in the Sun, Nicklaus and Watson went head-to-head on a scintillating final day, but the younger Watson prevailed for his second Open and third major title.
Nicklaus re-ignited his major charge with victory at the 1978 British Open back at St Andrews at the age of 38.
Nicklaus and Watson fought plenty of battles against each other but they also came together as team-mates in the 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Heath in England, winning all three of their matches together as the US won 18.5 - 9.5.
Nicklaus was named captain for the 1983 Ryder Cup and led his side to a narrow victory against Europe at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida. It would be the final chapter in the US winning streak that had stretched back to 1959.
Nicklaus bagged two more majors at the age of 40, but by 1986, aged 46, he hadn't won one for six years. A newspaper article ahead of the Masters said he was "done, washed up, through." Trailing leader Greg Norman by four going into the final day, Nicklaus summoned some old magic. A famous birdie putt on the 17th gave him the lead for the first time.
Nicklaus' back-nine charge sparked roars the like of which Augusta hasn't heard since and his homeward 30 gave him a sixth Green Jacket and 18th major title.
Nicklaus was again captain for the US Ryder Cup side at his Muirfield Village course in Ohio in 1987, but the Americans crashed to their first ever defeat on home soil.
Since Tiger Woods burst onto the scene with his first major title at the Masters in 1997 he has chased Nicklaus' major mark. But Woods has been stranded on 14 victories since 2008.
Nicklaus was awarded the Congressional Gold medal in 2015 for his services to his sport and philanthropy.
Nicklaus' early career was characterized by his rivalry with Arnold Palmer (left) and Gary Player (right). Known as the "Big Three", the trio became honorary starters at the Masters.
Palmer died on September 25, 2016 at the age of 87 and Nicklaus delivered a eulogy to his friend. "He was the king of our sport," Nicklaus said. "And he always will be."
'Gone, done'
Pulling into Augusta National that April, Nicklaus' form appeared in terminal decline. Family and his various business interests had pushed golf into the back seat.
A newspaper story ahead of the Masters, penned by Tom McCollister of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said he was "gone, done," and his "clubs were too rusty." A friend of Nicklaus' pinned it to his fridge in the house they were renting in Augusta that week.
Nicklaus knew his career was winding down. But done? Rusty clubs? Not so fast, he thought. And certainly not at Augusta, where he had already won a record five green jackets.
"I might have been 46, but my nerves were still good," he said. "And I did not want to leave the game playing poorly."
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'Pumped'
With his 24-year-old eldest son Jackie as his caddie, Nicklaus opened with a modest 74 but improved with rounds of 71 and 69 to sit in a tie for ninth going into the final day.
Starting four strokes off the lead of Australian Greg Norman, he set off in company with Scotsman Lyle, the British Open champion. "We weren't really the main contenders; we were probably 30-40 minutes in front of the leaders and after nine holes not much was going on," said Lyle.
But the old adage goes that the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. And that's exactly when Nicklaus made his move on an epic, sun-soaked afternoon
He had flickered into life with a birdie at the ninth, and when he stroked in another 25 footer for birdie on the 10th , the needle surged again.
Deep down in Amen Corner -- golf's most revered stretch of holes -- Nicklaus added a third straight birdie with another lengthy putt across the 11th.
"That was the first time I jumped. I was pumped and started getting really excited," said Jackie in a TV interview afterwards.
'What about my old heart?'
Remarkably, he was now only two shots behind the lead of Norman and Seve Ballesteros, Spain's two-time champion. It threatened to be a short-lived cameo when he pulled his tee shot long and left over the water on the short 12th and made a bogey.
But on the 13th tee fortune was on Nicklaus' side as his attempted drive around the corner flirted with trees lining the left of the hole before settling in the fairway.
"Dad, that was no good for a 24-year-old heart," Jackie later recalled saying. Nicklaus Snr. laughed and told Lyle.
"Jack said to me, 'Hear what he just said? What about my old heart?'" said Lyle.
'The eagle lit a fuse'
From the middle of the par-five 15th fairway, Nicklaus peered down at the lime-bright green beckoning from beyond the pond. "Jack Nicklaus has 200 yards and he's never needed an eagle more," whispered CBS commentator Ben Wright in his polished English brogue.
After much mulling with Jackie, Nicklaus opted for a four iron and stroked the ball over the water, stopping it in the heart of the narrow putting surface, safe from the slick slope behind. A roar rose up from the packed galleries around the green and broke like a wave up the fairway. "And he's got a very, very good chance," said Wright, with a hint of excitement.
On the green, Nicklaus and Jackie stalked the putt, surveying it from every angle. When the din had subsided, he took his hunched stance and rolled it through the shadows and into the hole for an eagle three. Jackie leapt into the air. The thunderous roar told the story. Hope and belief surged for the old favourite. Now just two strokes back. "Yes, Sir!" urged Wright. "The battle is joined. My goodness. There is life in the old Bear yet. Magnificent stuff."
"That's when I began to think something was really occurring," said Lyle, who was leaning on his putter as Nicklaus' ball dropped yards in front of him. "The eagle lit a fuse and got the crowd going unbelievably and they never stopped from there to the 18th."
The Masters: A-Z in photos
The opening major of the golf season is the Masters from Augusta, Georgia every April, although it is being held in November in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's a spring rite, steeped in tradition and layered in rich sporting history and drama. It's an event that attracts even non-golfers because of the sublime beauty of the course. Click through the gallery for an A-Z of the Masters.
The revered course has hosted the year's opening major -- and the only one of the big four events to be played at the same course every year -- since 1934. A is also for the azaleas which traditionally blossom during Masters week and for Amen Corner, the infamous stretch of holes incorporating the 11th, the treacherous short 12th and the tee shot on the par-five 13th.
The Georgian greensward is an oasis among the urban landscape of Augusta, Georgia's second city on the banks of the Savannah River. The bars, burger joints and shopping malls of neighboring Washington Road are in stark contrast to the golfing dreamscape over the fence. B is also for Seve Ballesteros, the Spaniard who opened the European floodgates with wins in 1980 and 1983.
Augusta's caddies are instantly recognizable by their white jump suits. Before 1983, players had to use a club caddie, all of whom were local black men. Since then players have used their usual tour caddies, but they must still don the white suit and green cap.
The hallowed property is governed by its own strict rules such as no running or cell phones, but on the flip side traditions exist such as the practice of placing your green Masters chair at your preferred spot and being able to return to your vacant seat hours later.
Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and several landmarks of his era remain, including Ike's Pond, the fishing lake he championed that is the focal point of the Par-3 Contest. Eisenhower's white cabin also sits near the clubhouse.
Visitors to Augusta National are known as patrons -- not fans or spectators or the crowd. Tickets are like gold dust, but a limited number of practice round tickets and tournament days are available through a yearly ballot. The waiting list for weekly tournament badges closed years ago.
Rory McIlroy just needs the Masters to complete the Grand Slam of all four of golf's major titles. The Northern Irishman blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011, but having won four majors in the meantime returns for his fifth shot at the Grand Slam this week. Only five others have achieved the feat -- Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. G is also for greens -- the slick, sloping putting surfaces are infamous.
Augusta National was created by Scottish golf course architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie and co-founder Bobby Jones and opened in 1933 on land that was once the site of Fruitlands Nursery. During World War II the land was briefly given over to turkey and cattle farming.
South African Gary Player -- pictured here in 2014 with Jack Nicklaus (left) and the late Arnold Palmer -- was the first international champion in 1961. Since then the Masters has been won 21 times by overseas players. The US counts for 60 wins from 37 different players.
The tropical-weight emerald blazer is worn by only Augusta National members and Masters champions. It was first introduced for members in 1937 and ordered from Brooks Uniform Company in New York. Sam Snead was the first winner to receive a jacket and honorary membership in 1949. The reigning Masters champion can take it home for a year, then it must be kept at the club.
The saying goes the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. It starts with one of the hardest holes on the course in the 10th and then enters Amen Corner with the equally tough 11th and then the booby trap of the short 12th. But the long 15th (pictured) is key -- big moves can be made with eagles here. Anything less than a birdie and you will likely go backwards.
The exclusive driveway to Augusta's historic clubhouse is framed by dozens of magnolia trees. Only members and Masters competitors are allowed to access this revered entrance which gives on to the Founder's Circle and then the whitewashed concrete clubhouse, built in 1854.
Popular left-hander Phil Mickelson is one of 17 players to have won multiple Masters titles. The three-time champion won the first of his five major titles at Augusta in 2004 after three straight third places. Even at 50, Mickelson remains a Masters threat.
The most successful player at the Masters is Jack Nicklaus, whose six Green Jackets remains the record. The 80-year-old is now an honorary starter along with Gary Player, following the death of four-time champion Arnold Palmer in 2016.
The famous old oak tree on the course side of the clubhouse is an iconic landmark and the traditional meeting place for the game's movers and shakers and media types with the correct credential. A familiar refrain of Masters week is: "Meet you under the tree."
Perhaps the most famous short hole in golf, the par-3 12th sits at the heart of Amen Corner. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, it is just 155 yards long, but Rae's Creek looms large in front and a devilish wind always swirling around the trees makes club selection tricky.
Modern media are housed in a recently built state-of-the-art facility at the far end of the practice range, but in days gone by the stories from Augusta were crafted in a corrugated metal Quonset Hut.
When the excitement rises on a Sunday afternoon and the patrons reach fever pitch, the roars reverberate around the towering pines which act like a giant organ reflecting the noise all over the course. A Phil Mickelson roar stands out, but a roar for Tiger Woods is like no other.
Jordan Spieth was on a fast track to being crowned the new king of Augusta following his wire-to-wire victory in 2015 and dominance for three rounds in 2016. He was still clear with nine holes to play before famously self destructing with two balls in the water on 12. The American has struggled of late and is down to 33rd in the world, but in five Masters appearances he has won, finished second twice, come third and 11th.
The Masters is forward looking but rooted in tradition, such as the pre-tournament Par-3 Contest, in which friends and family members caddie for the players and hit the occasional shot. Jack Nicklaus' grandson Gary made a hole in one last year. Other traditions include the Champions Dinner, in which the holder chooses the menu and hosts the evening on the Tuesday of Masters week
When Jordan Spieth won in 2015 he equaled Tiger Woods' 1997 record for the lowest winning score at 18 under par.
Augusta's vistas are consistently spell-binding with the pines framing the holes and the lush grass, ice white of the bunkers and explosions of color from the flowers and patrons adding to the allure.
Who else? Tiger Woods changed golf when he won his first major by a record 12 shots in 1997. He went on to win three further Green Jackets, the last of which came in 2005 after a famous chip-in on the 16th. The 43-year-old is fit again after multiple back surgeries, and among the widely tipped contenders.
Winning the Masters requires a game in mint condition and a bit of something special. Think Tiger Woods' chip-in on the 16th in 2005, or Phil Mickelson's shot threaded through trees on the 13th in 2010. Or what about Bubba Watson's banana ball from the woods on the 10th to clinch a play off in 2012 (pictured)?
Tiger Woods' 1997 win for the first of 14 majors so far made him the youngest Masters champion at the age of 21.
For many players, winning the Masters represents the zenith of their career. Phil Mickelson's jump for joy in 2004 at his 11th attempt kick started an era which yielded further victories in 2006 and 2010.
As Nicklaus stood in deep shadow on the 16th tee, debutant CBS announcer Jim Nantz asked his summarizer Tom Weiskopf what would be going through his mind. "If I knew the way he thought I would have won this tournament," said Weiskopf, the 1973 British Open champion.
Nicklaus made his swing, the ball soared towards the green, took two hops and then checked and span left, trickling down the slope to three feet below the hole.
The pines, acting like the reeds in a giant mouth organ, amplified the roar. Once the clamor had died down Nicklaus sank the putt for birdie. One back.
"The noise was quadrophonic, coming from above, from the side -- I think even God was laughing," added Lyle.
"The Bear has come out of hibernation," purred Nantz.
David Cannon took this image of Jack Nicklaus hitting out of a bunker at the 1986 Masters.
'Seve or Jack?'
Behind them, Ballesteros was swashbuckling his way down the 15th.
Veteran golf photographer David Cannon was following the Spaniard, his favorite player. Ballesteros would later have Cannon's iconic image of his 1984 Open victory at St Andrews tattooed on his arm, but now Cannon was wracked with indecision.
"I was following Seve and hearing these epic roars around the course," he told CNN.
"Follow Seve or go with Jack? I literally changed direction 10 times. Luckily my brain said, 'hang on, this is the greatest golfer there's ever been and this is his chance to win another major. You have to go there.'"
Cannon diverted from the 15th fairway to wait for Nicklaus behind the 17th. But a huge groan came from down in the valley to his left. Ballesteros, his head bowed in his white visor, had dunked his second into the water on 15.
Nicklaus, on the 17th tee, sensed what had occurred from the roar -- groans mixed with cheers.
His drive drifted left into trees and he had given himself a tricky second shot. Still, he found the green and had about a 12 footer for birdie.
Augusta lore
Cannon lined up behind a little ridge, hoping desperately no one would get in his way.
On the green, Nicklaus and Jackie consulted over the putt. Jackie thought the putt would break right but his dad wasn't so sure.
Nicklaus recalled the Augusta lore that all putts break towards Rae's Creek, the stream that runs in front of the 12th green and is the lowest part of the course.
"You sure?" asked Jackie.
"'Pretty sure. I think it will come back to the left because of Rae's Creek,'" he later recalled. "'There's always that influence back there.'"
Nicklaus barely stroked his putt, starting it left before the ball veered to the right and then, sure enough, straightened back up as it neared the hole.
"Maybe," said CBS announcer Verne Lundquist. Nicklaus dropped a knee and raised his left arm in the air with his putter as if to chase the ball into the hole. "Yes, Sir," shouted Lundquist as the ball dropped. Nicklaus' double arm pump punctuated the word "Sir."
Cannon fired away as the ball dropped. Nicklaus' raised arm has become another of golf's most iconic images.
"I could see Jack clearly. I had a lovely background with the sun at a beautiful angle and it made an amazing picture," said Cannon, who faced a nervous wait until his shots were developed back in the UK the following Tuesday. "The relief and excitement was staggering," he added.
Jack Nicklaus holed a birdie putt on the 17th to take the lead in the 1986 Masters.
'Oh, beautiful'
"Gone, done" Nicklaus was now the sole leader of the Masters and Augusta was fizzing.
Nicklaus emerged from the maelstrom onto the 18th tee. Digging deep, he unleashed his final drive through the narrow chute of trees and found the fairway.
His second shot from 175 yards came to rest on the bottom tier of the back-to-front sloping green, and he walked up to the final hole through an ear-ringing standing ovation.
"In all my years in golf that to me was most the emotional and largest ovation I have ever heard," he said.
Nicklaus' first putt came to rest a few feet from the hole and he drained his next for a par four to seal a blistering back nine of 30 and give him the clubhouse lead at nine under.
He shook hands with Lyle and his caddie Dave Musgrove and embraced Jackie. The pair walked off the green with their arms around each other's shoulders.
"Oh, beautiful," said CBS commentator Ken Venturi.
The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Tiger Woods punched the air to tumultuous applause and chants of "Tiger, Tiger" as he sealed his 15th major title.
Woods was bidding for a fifth Green Jacket, 14 years after his last.
Alongside Woods chasing leader Francesco Molinari were Justin Harding (left) of South Africa and American Xander Schauffele.
Former US PGA champion Jason Day of Australia was also in contention.
Italy's British Open champion Molinari was the leader after three rounds at Augusta.
Woods was two shots back and within touching distance of a fifth Green Jacket and 15th major title.
American Tony Finau sat alongside Woods. Finau dislocated his ankle in the par-3 contest ahead of his debut in last year's Masters.
Masters patrons were treated to an electric day of golf at Augusta Saturday.
Saturday is known as Moving Day and if you weren't going forwards you were going backwards.
England's Ian Poulter played alongside Woods and said afterwards it had been "fun."
Hospitality at Augusta is famous for offering affordable food and beverage options.
Finau was the first player in the field to reach 10 under par after a dazzling start Saturday.
Phil Mickelson is bidding for a fourth Green Jacket and sixth major title at the age of 48.
Rickie Fowler is arguably the "best player never to have win a major."
Molinari made his first visit to Augusta as caddie for his older brother Edoardo in 2006.
Veteran Mickelson was playing his 100th round at the Masters Friday.
Play was suspended for a while because of the threat of thunderstorms in the Augusta area.
Italy's Francesco Molinari, the British Open champion, set the early pace and pushed the lead to seven under.
Left-hander Mickelson could become the oldest Masters champion -- he is only three shots off the lead.
First round co-leader Brooks Koepka struggled early on day two but rallied to share a five-way tie for the lead at seven under.
The weather warning came just as Tiger Woods was beginning his move up the leaderboard.
Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, pushed the lead to eight under before dropping back into the pack at seven under.
England's Justin Rose, runner-up two years ago, had a Masters to forget as he missed the cut.
The other first round co-leader Bryson DeChambeau went backwards Friday.
Woods hit a stunning tee shot to 12 before the siren went to suspend play because of thunderstorms.
England's Ian Poulter kept up his challenge for a maiden major title with another good round at Augusta.
World No.2 Dustin Johnson was in a group on six under alongside Woods at the halfway stage.
Tiger Woods is chasing a fifth Masters title and first since 2005 at Augusta.
The 43-year-old won the last of his 14 majors in 2008 and is on the comeback from long-term back injury.
Following spine fusion surgery in 2017, Woods crowned a remarkable season last year with victory in the Tour Championship, his first for five years.
Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy needs the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam of all four major titles.
However, the 29-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a poor start on day one at Augusta.
Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got the 83rd Masters under way as ceremonial starters Thursday.
Rickie Fowler, runner-up in 2018, is still chasing a first major title.
America's Fowler finished behind countryman Patrick Reed last year.
World No.2 Dustin Johnson finished strongly to end four under par, two off the lead.
Former champion Jordan Spieth had a day to forget and ended three over.
Left-hander Bubba Watson is a two-time Masters champion.
Veteran Phil Mickelson, 48, is chasing a fourth Green Jacket.
Brooks Koepka pushed the lead to six under before being joined by Bryson DeChambeau.
Thanks, Tom
But for all his heroics, Nicklaus' fate was in the hands of others. Tom Kite, playing in the group behind, had a 12-footer for birdie on 18 to force a playoff, but he missed by a whisker.
Despite his dunking on 15, Ballesteros was still very much in contention until a three-putt bogey on 17 knocked him back.
Norman, though, had coming charging back with four birdies in a row from the 14th and was tied again for the lead at nine under after 17.
The Bear was being hunted by the "Great White Shark," as Norman was known.
Nicklaus, watching on from the Jones Cabin, was becoming increasingly anxious and got up off the couch to pace the room.
The Australian flushed his drive up 18, but he pushed his second shot into the gallery to the right of the green, ramping up the drama. From an opening made among the patrons chipped back onto the green, but left himself a 15 footer for par to take Nicklaus into a playoff.
He missed, and Nicklaus was crowned the second oldest major champion ever behind the 48-year-old PGA champion Julius Boros.
Augusta crackled and popped. Golf had never seen anything like it. Veteran writers struggled with their words and thoughts trying to do justice to Nicklaus' feat.
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Jack Nicklaus receives the green jacket from Bernhard Langer at the 1986 Masters.
McCollister was filing copy when Nicklaus first began answering reporters questions in the press room, but when he walked in the champion broke off his answer and said, "Hi, Tom. Thanks."
McCollister, who died in 1999, fired back, "Glad I could help."
Tiger's tale of redemption may have had more back story, but for feel-good factor Nicklaus' 1986 Masters win aged 46 will be hard to beat.