Jack Nicklaus Recalls Preparation Lesson from 1988 McDonald's Glass
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus shared an anecdote about a surprising source of motivation following his rare missed cut at the 1988 PGA Championship in Oklahoma. At age 48, Nicklaus finished nine-over-par after the second round, missing the cut by seven shots. Due to his broadcasting duties with ABC Sports, he was required to remain at the tournament for the weekend. During this time, his wife Barbara took their son Michael to McDonald's, where they received a souvenir Happy Meal glass featuring Peanuts characters. The next morning, Nicklaus discovered an inscription on the glass that read, "There's no excuse for not being properly prepared." This message resonated deeply with Nicklaus, who was known for arriving at major tournaments ten days early to prepare meticulously. He has since used this story to emphasize the importance of preparation to other golfers, including Rory McIlroy. Today, an exact replica of that specific glass is displayed in a cabinet at Nicklaus's home in North Palm Beach, serving as a permanent reminder of the lesson learned during a professional setback.
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Jack Nicklaus Recalls Preparation Lesson from 1988 McDonald's Glass
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus shared an anecdote about a surprising source of motivation following his rare missed cut at the 1988 PGA Championship in Oklahoma. At age 48, Nicklaus finished nine-over-par after the second round, missing the cut by seven shots. Due to his broadcasting duties with ABC Sports, he was required to remain at the tournament for the weekend. During this time, his wife Barbara took their son Michael to McDonald's, where they received a souvenir Happy Meal glass featuring Peanuts characters. The next morning, Nicklaus discovered an inscription on the glass that read, "There's no excuse for not being properly prepared." This message resonated deeply with Nicklaus, who was known for arriving at major tournaments ten days early to prepare meticulously. He has since used this story to emphasize the importance of preparation to other golfers, including Rory McIlroy. Today, an exact replica of that specific glass is displayed in a cabinet at Nicklaus's home in North Palm Beach, serving as a permanent reminder of the lesson learned during a professional setback.