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Nicklaus defends St Andrews absence

Jack Nicklaus won the last of his three Open titles at St Andrews in 1978 © Getty Images

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Jack Nicklaus has defended his decision not to take part in a four-hole exhibition for past Open champions at this year's Open Championship at St Andrews.

The 18-time major champion was criticised for saying he would only go to St Andrews if his sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland, wanted him there for a corporate function. The American has hit back though, insisting his absence is because he does not want to spoil the memories of his last appearance at the home of golf back in 2005, when he bid a tearful farewell to competitive golf.

"It was my last time being involved in a major. It was perfect," Nicklaus said. "I go to the Masters, but the Masters is different. St Andrews is where I finished by my career. That's got a special feeling and I want to keep that feeling."

Nicklaus' decision will disappoint Open officials, who devised the idea of celebrating the event's 150th anniversary by inviting every living past champion to compete over the Old Course's first, second, 17th and 18th holes ahead of the main event. The 70-year-old, who claimed 115 career titles during his 44-year long playing career, will not join the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods in that field though after RBS confirmed they had no intentions to send him to Scotland.

"I said at Augusta unless RBS wants me to go back I won't," Nicklaus said. "I have a contract with them and a lot of times I entertain clients and they'll request that I'm at a certain place.

"I went to them and I said I really didn't want to do this. And they honoured my request."

Nicklaus rang Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson to let him know his decision and says Dawson was perfectly understanding of his reasons.

"He said, 'I suspect that's the reason. I honour that, respect that and I'll support that.'"

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