Jack Nicklaus received an emotional ovation along the 18th hole as he bid farewell to the Old Course for probably the last time.

Nicklaus paused on the Swilken Bridge to receive the acclaim of the packed galleries.

He then posed for photos with his caddy and players including Sandy Lyle, who was waiting on the adjacent 1st hole, joined in the applause.

Even Tiger Woods stood and watched for a moment as Jack Nicklaus made his way up the 18th fairway.

The Golden Bear, an Open winner at St Andrews in 1970 and 1978, ended his long association with the Old Course with a round of 73 that left him six over.

Emotions

It was only the fifth time in 37 Opens - which include three wins - that Nicklaus had missed the cut.

"I have mixed emotions," said Nicklaus. "It was a very nice emotion I had there on the 18th but not on a Friday afternoon.

"The chairman of the R& A told me that the reason they were planning to bring the British Open back here in 2005 was largely so I could play in it.

"But I will be 65 by then and I will only play if I can compete. And I will only come to play - I will not come here just to walk around the course. Still, five years is a long time and you never say never."

With his long-standing joint problems stopping him from walking round 18 holes without finishing in agony, Nicklaus must now decide whether to have surgery which would allow him to continue on the Seniors Tour or whether to quit the competitive scene altogether

He will play in the USPGA championship next month but after that he is undecided.

However, whether he takes the course again or not, his 18 major championships and 70 tour titles will stand favourable comparison with any man who played the sport.