The 2003 Bay Hill Invitational marked a hugely significant moment in golf’s history as it proved to be the final PGA Tour event that involved both Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
While Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer would play in The Masters in 2003 and 2004, it was the Bay Hill Invitational 23 years ago that provided the stage for their final PGA Tour event together.
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It all started with a charity event shortly before many of the world’s best travelled to The King’s course in Florida.
How Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer performed at Bay Hill in their final PGA Tour event together
Palmer had planned to not play in the event again after withdrawing on the Friday in 2002. However, according to NBC Sports, he learned at the charity event that another appearance in 2003 would see him play in 50 consecutive years on the PGA Tour.
With that, he managed to encourage Nicklaus to make his first appearance at Bay Hill since 1995 with his great rival looking to prepare for The Masters.
The pair signed up for the event little more than a week before the opening round.
Unlike Nicklaus, Palmer had actually won the event previously. He had won by one shot in 1971 when the tournament was held at Rio Pinar.
Palmer became the owner of Bay Hill three years later. And in 1979, the iconic venue began to host the tournament which now bears his name.
Unfortunately, Palmer and Nicklaus were unable to roll back the years and ended up missing the cut.
Nicklaus posted rounds of 82 and 76, while Palmer shot 87 and 85.
“It was fun. I’m happy I did it even though I didn’t play very well,” Palmer said, as reported by CBC. “I may not play in the tournament anymore here, but that isn’t a big thing for me to get sentimental about.”
“Well, the week didn’t go too well. That’s pretty obvious,” said Nicklaus. “A lot of the things I did were quite good. I didn’t score very well, I scored horribly but I like some of the things I did.”
The former PGA Tour player who caddied for Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill in 2003
Further history was made over the weekend as Tiger Woods became the first player since Gene Sarazen in 1930 to win the same event four years in a row. Woods finished 11 shots clear of a group of players in second place.
Palmer’s caddie that week was his grandson, Sam Saunders. Saunders went on to make more than 150 starts on the PGA Tour, including 11 appearances at Bay Hill before his retirement from professional golf.
Palmer would play in the event for the final time in 2004. Meanwhile, that year would also see Nicklaus make the cut on the PGA Tour for the last time as he finished tied for 63rd at The Memorial Tournament, his own event.