Jack Nicklaus Will Become Honorary Citizen of St. Andrews at The Open Championship

When the 150th playing of the Open Championship commences at the place where it all began, the Old Course at St. Andrews, a special ceremony will be held to designate Jack Nicklaus as an honorary citizen of St. Andrews.

On July 12, The Royal Burgh of St. Andrews Community Council will bestow the honor to Nicklaus who won two of his three Open titles at St. Andrews. The Old Course is also where Nicklaus chose to compete in his final major championship in 2005.

The distinguished honor has only been awarded to two other American citizens — Nicklaus’ boyhood golfing idol, Bobby Jones, in 1958 and U.S. founding father, Benjamin Franklin, in 1759.

Nicklaus will be in attendance for the planned public ceremony where he will receive a scroll to mark the occasion. The festivities will begin with a tribute by noted St. Andrews golfer John Devlin on behalf of the town.