Page 16-Tuesday, June 17, 1980-The Michigan Daily SSports Nicklaus takes By SCOTT M. LEWIS Special to the Daily SPRINGFIELD, N.J. - Jack Nicklaus strode triumphantly toward the 18th green, his face beaming with pride. He was one putt - one meaningless, 10-foot putt - away from winning his fourth United States Open Championship. As Nicklaus approached the putting surfaca the lhmeaaa f 51f03 ll l(M]p with an ovation to which even the great Nicklaus is unaccustomed. The cheer became even more deafening when he sank that 10-foot putt, giving him a tournament total of eight-under-par 272, an Open record. The crowd cheered because Jack is back. The man who has won more money and more major tournaments (18, in- cluding Sunday's triumph) than any other golfer, had broken out of the wor- st slump of his storied career- which made him consider retir the early age of 40. Nicklaus had not won a L nament since the Philadelphi in July, 1978. Last year, playi breviated schedule, he place 71st on the PGA earnings li which Nicklaus used to m. regularity became exert frustration. Some of his followers wrot Open - a slump sudden but pronounced slide to a lack of rement at concentration. Others said that Nicklaus, a developer of golf courses U.S. tour- throughout the country, involved him- ia Classic self too heavily in business dealings to ng an ab- maintain the practice habits necessary d a lowly for his level of play. ist. Putts Nicklaus did not cite these reasons as ake with an explanation for his 23-month victory cises in drought. He was annoyed by reports circulating Friday that he would retire e off the if he were to win the Open. "Stop that right now," he ordered his interrogators. "When I decide to retire, you (the media) will be the first to know, after my wife and family." Sunday's convincing win probably will keep Nicklaus on the tour for at least a few more years, much to the chagrin of his colleagues. But had he blown his two-stroke lead, the belief here was that Nicklaus would call it quits by season's end. Curiously, the person who tipped reporters off on Nicklaus' retirement plans was Tom Watson, who some fell has replaced Jack as the game's premier performer. Watson shot an even-par 70 Sunday to finish in a tie for third with Keith Fergus, two strokes behind Japan's Isao Aoki. When questioned about the possibility of retirement after Saturday's round, Nicklaus again became a bit testy. "Don't be ridiculous," he snapped. "Next question." But Sunday, he admitted that he had considered quitting the tour. He discussed the matter several times with his wife Barbara, and decided to main- tain his present schedule of one tour- nament per month. "With the way I played, I wonder why I'm putting myself through this," he said. "You have to wonder whether you really should be playing this silly game. I see guys who were once big winners who now should be out of the game. I don't want to join that group." Nicklaus wouldn't mention names, but certainly he had in mind Arnold Palmer. Palmer, 50, still possesses the magnetism which has made him the most popular golfer of all time, but his P Photo game has deserted him. He shot a 301, ao the tournament's highest score by three strokes. Palmer's skills began to erode as he entered his early 40's. Nicklaus is con- fident that his game will not suffer the same fate. "I'm in better shape now than 13 years ago (when he won the Open at /S Baltusrol withea closing-day 65),' he said. "I feel like I'm back in my 20's. "The hardest part is going from tour- ted that nament to tournament answering the same questions. You guys (reporters) had me believing it ... that I couldn't grass win. in over Nicklaus reaffirmed his pledge to and, step aside for the Watsons, Lon Hinkles, the 17- and Keith Ferguses when he no longer ,where feels able to win. At present, however, igs will he is brimming with confidence and anxiously awaits this week's Canadian y, two Open. by Jor- "I will play as long as I think I can nd Ann compete," he said. "When I can't tom- lost fir- pete, I will say goodbye." Hinkle, who finished fifth in the Open, 'as Jor- hopes Nicklaus doesn't depart from the r Wim- PGA tour soon. "Jack is good for the another game," he said. "I hope he realizes el Mar, there are a lot more championships out there for him to win." A The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, (left) raises his trophy during the celebration after winning his fourth U.S. Open. Is Aoki, (right) of Japan, acknowledges the crowd as they applaud him for his tremendous second place finish. BORG NO. I IN MEN'S Wimbledon na-mes seedo WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Bjorn Borg and Martina Navratilova, the reigning singles champions, were given the No. 1 seedings for this year's Wimbledon tennis tournament, officials said yesterday. The seedings committee followed the placing in the Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) computer ranking list and made John McEnroe the second. seed in men's singles, with Jimmy Con- nors third. MCENROE, HOPING to atone for last year's failure at Wimbledon, has high hopes for the big tournament. "I am moving and hitting the ball better this year," he said after Sunday's win at the London Queen's Club grass court tennis championships. "You need ojne, two breaks to win at Wimbledon - such as getting a good draw and not being asked to play on one of those outer courts a long way from the locker room." Navratilova forecast yesterday that she could win the Wimbledon women's singles title for the third straight year - and it looked as though she meant it. She celebrated her arrival on the pre- Wimbledon scene by beating American Betty Ann Dent 6-2, 6-3 in a rain swept exercise on the center court. Two straight double faults in the opening game represented her only real lapse in the match. Afterward, Navratilova said it would mean a great deal to her to go into the history books as a three-time Wim- bledon winner along with the six other women who already have gain distinction. TRACEY AUSTIN made he: court debut with a 6-3, 6-4 wi Christianne Jollisant of Switzeri It was disclosed yesterday if year-old Austin wins Wimbledon she is seeded No. 2, her earnin pass the $1 million mark. In a crowded opening da American seeded players, Kati dan of King of Prussia, Pa., a Kiyomura of San Mateo, Calif.,l st-round matches. The most serious casualty w dan, named as No. 10 seed fo bledon. She lost 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to. American, Terry Holladay of D Calif.