On this day: 1980 – Nicklaus wins PGA Championship by a record margin

Sport360 staff 23:53 09/08/2015
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  • Clinical: Nicklaus.

    The 62nd PGA Championship, held at the Oak Hill Country Club in New York, saw Jack Nicklaus stun the field with his dominant play.

    After 36 holes, Nicklaus was one stroke behind leader Gil Morgan.

    But on the third day, Nicklaus fired a 66 to move to 205 and take a three-shot lead over Lon Hinkle going into the final round, with Morgan three more back.

    Then on this day back in 1980, Nicklaus kept his cool to card a one-under 69 for a final score of 274.

    His seven stroke margin remained the record until 2012, when Rory McIlroy won by eight.

    It was Nicklaus’ fifth PGA Championship, the 17th of 18 major titles and his second of the year after his win at the US Open.

    Other memories on this day in sport:

    1907: The first long-distance car race ended in Paris, having started in Beijing on June 10 of the same year.
    1954: Jockey Sir Gordon Richards retired after a British record 4,870 victories. He last raced on July 10 after a fall at Sandown.
    2006: John Terry was named England captain by new manager Steve McClaren, in succession to David Beckham.

    2007: Carlos Tevez completed his protracted move to Manchester United on a two-year loan deal.
    2008: Nicole Cooke won a gold medal for Great Britain in the women’s cycling road race at the Beijing Olympics.
    2013: Mo Farah added the 10,000m world title to his Olympic gold at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

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