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Raymond J. de Souza: Jack Nicklaus, not Tiger Woods, still defines greatness at Augusta

Forty years after his magical 1986 victory, the Golden Bear returns as both supreme athlete and man of character

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The Masters opens this week at Augusta National golf course, as pure a collaboration of God and man as exists anywhere on earth. You don’t realize that pine needles can be beautiful until you see what Augusta’s groundskeepers do with them, or that azaleas bloom on schedule if their roots are chilled or warmed as necessary. They do that for the Masters, because at Augusta perfection is the standard and excellence is merely acceptable.

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Forty years ago, Augusta gave sports the most perfect afternoon of golf ever played, perhaps the most perfect moment in professional sports. Jack Nicklaus, at the surely-impossible age of 46, won his record sixth Masters, his record 18th major, commencing four decades as both the beloved grandfather and guardian angel of the game.

Raymond J. de Souza: Jack Nicklaus, not Tiger Woods, still defines greatness at Augusta Back to video

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