"If I had been a really dedicated person, and really worked hard, I think I could have accomplished more."

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Jaime Diaz labels it a "startling confession" from Jack Nicklaus, and it's hard to disagree:

Addressing a number of topics during a 90-minute conversation, Nicklaus displays a new candor. He used to say, "My record is my record. I did all I could do." Today, he casts a more analytical and sometimes critical eye on the nuances of his career, starting with a self-effacing haymaker: "If I were to look back on my work, I think I accomplished probably about 70 to 75 percent of what I could have. Maybe 60 percent. Somewhere in that area; two-thirds of what I could have accomplished. If I had been a really dedicated person, and really worked hard, I think I could have accomplished more."

"I think this is a very functional partnership. I hope we can work a deal."

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Don Corleone? Gordon Gekko? Uh, more like Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam pitching themselves to design the Olympic golf course, should the folks in Rio actually even decide to build a new course.

Doug Ferguson reports on the hard sell from Jack and Annika to the IGF:

Nicklaus said one potential site already has been identified. If selected, he said he and Sorenstam would collaborate on the strategy of each hole -- Nicklaus from championship tees for the men, Sorenstam with women in mind.

Boy, I'm giddy already at the possibilities. And just think, they could do it all on the computer screen in Florida!

"I'll be surprised if they don't select us," Nicklaus said. "But I'm sure other people are interested."

Oh the Don issues a strong hint!

If a golf course is to be built, the IGF would pick the architect, but the host committee in Rio would pick up the cost, much like building a stadium or arena for other sports.

Fay confirmed that IGF members -- representing all the major golf organizations -- received the Nicklaus-Sorenstam letter.

"It was a very nice letter," he said. "When you get a letter from two Hall of Famers, that will get a lot of attention. But there definitely will be a process to go through. Sometimes there's a feeling that you don't want to Americanize the process. We've been very respectful of the fact, as we should be, that it is an international game."

As I've said, the smuckering up, politicking and backdoor dealing to design the course will be far more entertaining than the Olympic competition itself. Then again, at 72-holes stroke play, that's not saying much.

Isn't It Great Having Jack In The Booth?

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CBS's normal nap-inducing telecast has been livened up by Jack Nicklaus's presence during the Memorial final round. Naturally I loved his snide remark about the golf ball not going any longer after Phil Mickelson drove the 14th, but I couldn't tell if Nick Faldo was needling Jack or simply obvious when he brought up Seve and the Champions exhibition at St. Andrews. Thoughts?
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"He knew when to quit."

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I'm not really sure where to begin with the goldmine of material Brett Avery has pieced together for a Jack Nicklaus oral history in this week's Golf World, but I have to say that the below quote caught my eye. It may provide us with a little bit of context in better understanding why Nicklaus may be sincere in his stance of not returning to St. Andrews for this year's Champions exhibition.
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Tiger One-Ups Jack!

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So Tiger, who wouldn't be caught dead on the par-3 course before the Masters (and who can blame him after what it's turned into) because he's preparing for the tournament, will play the former champion challenge event on Wednesday of Open Championship week. That leaves Jack, Nick Price, and Johnny Miller as the only living absentees (along with 89-year-old Kel Nagle).