By Scarlett Elworthy

Nicklaus and his caddie, son Steve, were the centre of attention at St Andrews on Monday

In recent years, the build-up to the Open has been all about a Tiger.

But in 2005, on the eve of the 134th version of the oldest championship in golf, the limelight has shifted away from nine-time modern major winner Tiger Woods to a much more ancient creature - the great and unique Golden Bear.

Jack Nicklaus - whose total 18 major victories make him the most successful golfer of all-time - has roamed the world's greens since the late 1950s and changed expectations and the shape of the professional game.

Now he has chosen St Andrews to bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career.

The famous venue is a fitting stage for Nicklaus' finale - his three Open wins were all achieved in Scotland and two, in 1970 and 1978, were claimed at the historic home of golf.

The 65-year-old's farewell also promises to be very emotional and everyone - players, caddies, fans and golf's guardians within the Royal & Ancient - wants to be a part of the leaving party.

A huge, roving gallery followed the American's practice session around the Old Course on Monday.

And the nostalgic love-in continued for the duration of his entertaining fourball duel with partner Fred Couples against Nick Faldo and Brad Bryant.

Vidoes rolled and mobile phone cameras clicked as Nicklaus and Couples went round in a one-over-par 73 to 'win'.

But, for once, Faldo was prepared to take 'losing' on the chin because being part of Nicklaus' final Open campaign - and getting that historic snap on the Swilcan Bridge (the famous stone arch in the middle of the 18th fairway) - was enough in itself.

The picture Faldo wanted - he and Nicklaus with their sons on the famous Swilcan Bridge

"I wanted to play with Jack at his last major because this is the end of an incredible career," the Briton, a three-time Open champion himself, told BBC Sport.

"He was the inspiration that got me started in golf and he is the best ambassador for the sport both on and off the course."

Tony Jacklin, the 1969 Open winner, has also chosen to end his career at St Andrews this week and is taking part in the tournament out of respect for Nicklaus.

"Jack was the main ingredient for me playing," Jacklin, 61, told BBC Sport.

"We have been great friends for more than 40 years now. He has had an incredible career and I don't think I have ever played with anyone more sporting.

"He is an all-round fantastic guy. His record is there to be broken but I personally have doubts that it will ever be."

Nicklaus has not played the Open since 2000 - the last time it was held at St. Andrews - and has not been a serious Claret Jug contender since the early 1980s.

If I didn't think I could play on the weekend, I wouldn't have come over in the first place Jack Nicklaus

But he is a veteran of eight St Andrews' Opens and has set himself the target of surviving the half-way cut.

He recently changed his stance - moving up slightly, allowing him to get more club under the ball - and on the Old Course, where the length of the shots are not as important as other majors, that will stand him in good stead.

"It's a course if I play well on, I know I can compete on," Nicklaus said.

"Someone who hits the ball a moderate length, like me, can still play."

And after Monday's practice round, he said: "It's kind of fun to be playing half-decent.

"If I didn't think I could play on the weekend, I wouldn't have come over in the first place.

"But having said that, I'll probably go and shoot an 85 now!"

Nicklaus honoured by Scottish �5 note

Many golfing stars have been eager to step forward and share their memories of Nicklaus.

Former European Ryder Cup skipper Sam Torrance said: "Jack was my hero. He is the best golfer that ever lived."

For Darren Clarke "there will always be an aura about Jack. Thus far, he is the best player to have ever played the game."

But the final word should go to Argentine Eduardo Romero, who on first seeing Nicklaus pick up an club thought, "Wow! He is our god."