GOLF

A FAMED OLDIE WAS GOLDEN ONCE AGAIN

After going two years without a tour victory, 40-year-old Jack Nicklaus closed out the U.S. Open with a record 272 and then won the PGA by an unprecedented seven-stroke margin to increase his record string of majors to 19. Seve Ballesteros won the Masters, the K.C. Croesus, Tom Watson, took his third British Open, and another familiar fella, Lee Trevino, won the Vardon Trophy with an average of 69.73 strokes a round. Watson was the leading money winner for the fourth consecutive year, with another record-breaking sum: $530,808. Normally punctual, Ballesteros was tardy for a tee time at the Open and was disqualified. The bright new star of women's golf, Beth Daniel, won the World Series, earned a women's-record $231,000 and was the Player of the Year.

Best snake-killing stance, career, may have been Joe Inman's Masters goal.

Lon Hinkle threatened in the U.S. Open but couldn't seem to land his best haymaker.

Vintage Nicklausian grit was evident at the Open.

Augusta's azalean beauty was lost on Hale Irwin as he concentrated on a putt at the 13th.

Player of the Year Watson cracked the $500,000 barrier but was stymied at Augusta.

The reign of Spain: at 23, Ballesteros became the youngest Masters winner.

SIX PHOTOS