Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus shot a 5-under-par 65 in an 18-hole playoff with Chi Chi Rodriguez, who shot 69, to win the U.S. Senior Open at Oakland Hills Country Club. "It was one of the best ball-striking rounds I've played in a long time," said Nicklaus, who joined Arnold Palmer as the only men to win the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and U.S. Seniors Open.

Nicklaus opened the playoff with five birdies in the first eight holes, including a chip-in from 40 feet on No. 7. He led by three at the turn, but Rodriguez stayed within striking distance until Nicklaus birdied the 17th with a 5-iron shot that stopped just 6 inches from the cup. Rain, which halted play for two hours during the early afternoon, softened the greens and made it a bit easier for the two to post two of the championship's 17 sub-par rounds.

Nicklaus was also at or under par for his second and third rounds (69 and 70), as was Rodriguez (68 and 70). Both trailed Lee Trevino, who was at even-par 210, by one stroke heading into the final regulation round. Nicklaus and Rodriguez finished with 71s and 282 while Trevino suffered a costly bogey at the 17th and slipped back with a final-round 74. Al Geiberger finished third at 283, and Jim Dent shot 67 on Sunday to climb into a fourth place tie with Trevino at 284. The top amateur in the field was Jim Patti, who shot 297, including a second-round 68.