Many people had written Jack Nicklaus off as a major-championship contender since the Golden Bear hadn’t been in the winner’s circle in nearly two years. But in an epic duel with Japan’s Isao Aoki – they played together during all four rounds – Nicklaus broke his own 72-hole scoring record of 275 set in 1967 on Baltusrol’s Lower Course with an 8-under 272, besting Aoki by two strokes. Nicklaus joined Willie Anderson, Bob Jones and Ben Hogan as four-time U.S. Open champions.

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