September 19, 1959: Jack Nicklaus Becomes The Second Youngest To Win The Amateur Championship

On September 19, 1959, at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Jack Nicklaus became the second youngest golfer to win the United States Ameteur Championship. Nicklaus was just 19 years and 8 months old at the time, only Robert A. Gardner had accomplished winning the amateur championship at a younger age, he was just 3 months younger when he took his title in 1909. Much like Gardner, Nicklaus won a second amateur title before gong pro. Gardner's record stood until Tiger Woods won the first of his 3 amateur championships at the age of 18 years and 8 months old in 1994. The day Nicklaus won his first ameteur title he battled all the way to the 36th and final hole to secure the victory. He walked into that hole tied with the defending champion Charley Coe. Nicklaus put his second shot eight feet from the pin while his opponent landed his on the fringe and had to hit a chip shot just to get on the green. The kid that would become known as "The Golden Bear" dropped the eight footer to secure the victory that was the beginning of  one of the most storied careers in the history of golf. He would go onto win 73 rounds as a pro and sits third on the all time list. He also won a record 18 Major Championships, Tiger Woods sits four behind him on that list and is followed by Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, and Gary Player.