Gary Nicklaus seeks return to PGA TOUR after six years away

Cannon/Getty Images

Gary Nicklaus hasn't played a PGA TOUR event in six years, but he's attempting a comeback through q-school.

Talk about a comeback.

Six years after he played in his last PGA TOUR event and three years after he had his amateur status reinstated, Gary Nicklaus is once again taking a stab at playing golf for a living by entering q-school.

He is 40.

Why, you ask, would someone with a family (he and wife Amy have three children) and a secure job as vice-chairman of the Nicklaus Companies contemplate a career move at this age?

"It's just an itch, I guess," Nicklaus said Tuesday as he was headed to PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., for his final practice round before his first stage starts Wednesday. "It's something I've been thinking about for a while. I love the game of golf, and I miss playing."

In that respect, Nicklaus is like thousands of other top golfers who have the dream of playing for seven-figure checks alongside Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. But, of course, Gary Nicklaus has never been just another golfer.

Not when your dad was/is considered the greatest golfer in the game's history.

Not when you're slapped on the cover of Sports Illustrated -- at 16, no less -- with the caption: "The Heir to the Bear."

Not when you so closely resemble your famous father, from the piercing blue eyes and blonde hair to the bulging forearms and soft voice.

When Gary recently told his legendary father of his plans to enter q-school, he got a double-take.

"My dad said, 'You're going to do what?'" Nicklaus said. "But then he said, 'If you need any help, let me know. I just want you to be successful.'"

Gary has retained his amateur status, but he has the option to turn professional again after q-school. He said even if he earns a PGA TOUR card, he would continue to work for his dad's company. As for family support, wife Amy is caddying for him this week -- and he hopes for two more stages.

For all of the hype he received, Gary Nicklaus was a card-carrying member for just three seasons on the PGA TOUR (2000-2002). His biggest highlight was a runner-up finish to Mickelson at the 2000 BellSouth Classic, when the final round was canceled because of bad weather, and the two played a one-hole playoff.

Nicklaus' career PGA TOUR report reads thusly: 122 starts, that one top-10 finish, five top-25 finishes, 33 made cuts and career earnings of $693,571.

Having failed to make it through q-school during his prime too many times to remember, Nicklaus knows he's facing a major challenge to resurrect his career at 40. Still, he's willing to try.

"I haven't put a lot of effort into my game the last couple of years, but I feel as I have better control of my ball," Nicklaus said. "The game seems simple. It was a lot harder when I was actually trying to play this game for a living."

This isn't a case of an aging athlete who's trying for one last chance at glory. For Nicklaus, competitive golf has never seemed like a better fit.

"I am a different place in my life," he said. "I have a lot of responsibility with the company and with my family. I don't think golf will ever be as big a part of my life as it was six years ago. And I think that's a good thing."

Because he hasn't played on the PGA TOUR since finishing tied for 49th at his dad's Memorial Tournament in 2003, Nicklaus had to go to a q-school pre-qualifier last month, where he advanced with a tie for 12th at the Golf Club of Dallas. If Nicklaus were to make it through the next two stages, he would be in a position to benefit from a ton of local knowledge. That's because the final stage is less than 15 miles from his North Palm Beach home, at a country club (Bear Lakes) where his father designed both courses.

The last time Gary made it through q-school was in 2001 ... at Bear Lakes. He admitted the finals venue was a motivation for him to send in his application for q-school. But he knows there's plenty more work that must be done before thinking about the final stage.

"I've missed getting through q-school a bunch of times, and I've made it quite a few times, too," he said. "I've learned you don't have to play fantastic to make it through q-school; you just have to avoid the big mistakes. It's all about survival."

It wasn't long ago when Nicklaus seemed energized by regaining his amateur status. After winning last year's Palm Beach County Amateur -- one of the toughest amateur events to win in the country because of the huge number of former pros who live in the area -- Nicklaus talked about how he wanted to try and qualify for the U.S. Walker Cup team.

But he soon learned amateur golf didn't hold his interest for long.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed amateur golf," he said. "It's a fun way to compete. (But) I have found that I still have the passion to compete, and I want to compete at the highest level."

If Nicklaus were to make it through all four stages at this advanced age without a serious commitment to the game since '03, it would likely rank as one of his greatest achievements. And it would take place a quarter-century after he burst onto the golf world.

"If I've learned anything from my dad over the years, it's patience and perseverance," Gary said.

He'll need plenty of both commodities this week, and he hopes in the weeks to come.

Craig Dolch is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.