Nicklaus bids emotional farewell Golden Bear's Open timeline

The Golden Bear, who won the tournament in 1966, 1970 and 1978, was not just a favourite with the fans, he was a hero to his peers and successors in the professional game.

Below, on the day the Home of Golf said the fondest of farewells to the sport's finest ever practioner, the players pay tribute to the golfing icon, who won a record 18 major titles in total.

No one's ever played the major championships as well as him. He's the greatest. I've had the chance to talk to him a few times and pick his brain. It's truly been an honour to be around him. We always talk about great fly-fishing spots. He's told me where to go.
Tiger Woods

Playing with Jack in his final round was quite an experience. That was just a small appreciation that the people around the world have for him and the way he has conducted himself.
Tom Watson

Jack was my inspiration. I watched him on TV in 1971 and I asked my parents if I could try golf and here I am now. Through the years I've learned a lot from Jack about shot-making, and crumbs, Jack has done his bit. Words are not really enough. They should make him out of gold and stick a little Jack on every tee box!
Nick Faldo

It wasn't a distraction - it was really an honour an privelege to be there alongside Jack Nicklaus. It was something I'll never forget for the rest of my life. It shows the character of Jack to invite us up (onto the Swilcan Bridge). It was nice to be part of his special moment.
Luke Donald

Jack's given a lot to the game of golf. I think it was the team effort of the rivalry with Jack and Arnold (Palmer) that propelled golf. It just made for great theatre. The majors he has won have inspired a lot of players and we all have some great stories to tell about him.
Phil Mickelson

I started golf when I was four. Back then in 1970 Jack came out with his Golf Digest cartoons and that's how I learnt to play. If it wasn't for Arnold and Jack and those kind of guys I wouldn't have played golf.
John Daly

We just idolised him. He did what we just dreamed of doing. Nick Price

He taught me to be a good loser as well as a good winner. Greg Norman

You can ask him anything and he'll give you an answer. Some guys shy away, no matter who they are, from a few things. He's not one to do that. For me it's how courteous he was. Fred Couples

He was the guy when I was starting to get involved in golf as a young teenager. I thought he was the coolest guy. He was always a gracious winner and a gracious loser. He was just powerful. He was the greatest putter in the world. And he was the most popular player. He's been the biggest ambassador of the game that you can imagine.
Brad Faxon

You can only dream of having a career like that and have the accolades heaped upon you. I can only imagine what is going through his head. But at least I got to play with him in the latter parts of his career.
Stuart Appleby

He has always been a mentor for me. I have always looked up to him as he is the greatest golfer that has ever lived - how can I not want to emulate someone like that? I was holding back the tears down the 18th.
Luke Donald