Associated Press
Sunday, July 2

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- A disappointing week for Jack Nicklaus almost ended in a withdrawal from the U.S. Senior Open.

But Nicklaus wouldn't let his injured ribs force him out of action Sunday at Saucon Valley Country Club.

	Jack Nicklaus tied for 21st after contending during the opening round.

"I wanted to play, but if I couldn't play, I wouldn't," he said after shooting a 1-under 70 to finish at 1-over 285. "I didn't want to be stupid. When I went out to warm up, if I could swing and bump it around without hurting myself, that's what I was going to do."

Nicklaus said he's only dropped out of three tournaments in his career.

"I had to be hurting pretty bad when I dropped out on those three occasions," Nicklaus said. "I hurt a little bit, but I was able to swing the club."

The fans appreciated Nicklaus' effort. He received a loud ovation when he arrived at each hole. He tipped his hat and waved to the crowd after receiving his loudest ovation at the 18th hole.

Nicklaus said he will take a week off to get treatment, and hopes to be able to play in the Ford Seniors Players Championship, the final Senior Tour major of the year.

"If it's not (better), we'll have to wait for the British (Open)," he said.

Nicklaus shot a 67 in the first round, but struggled the rest of the way. A victory would have given him an automatic berth in the U.S. Open again -- perhaps his final chance of getting back to that major.

"I played well in the first round and made a couple of putts and it looked like I was going to have a good week," he said. "My putter left me for the week, basically."

Too little, too late
Dave Eichelberger, the defending Senior Open champion, shot his best round with a 4-under 67, 10 strokes better than his third-round score.

Eichelberger, however, finished in a tie for 34th place with a 4-over 288.

"This is the way I felt I should have been playing all week," he said. "I don't know why or whatever. Yesterday I felt terrible. Today I felt great. I don't know. Same person, same swing. No answers."

Eichelberger won the 1999 championship over Ed Dougherty after gaining a three-stroke turnaround on the 14th hole. Dougherty shot a 70 Sunday, and again finished behind Eichelberger at 289.

"I putted like a wizard, drove it in the fairway, doing everything good," Eichelberger said. "I am excited about the rest of the year to see how it's going to go."

Tee it up
Terry Laurent, the director at Saucon Valley Country Club, got a chance to play in his first Senior Open when he served as marker with Bill Tindall in Group 1.

"Unbelievable. It was a dream come true," Laurent, 46, said. "It sunk in about the 16th hole when I started having problems. It was all a dream before that. It's been quite an experience."

Laurent's 22-year-old son, Patrick, got to share the experience by serving as a caddie for his dad.

Crowded house
Sunday's crowd was 32,000 to bring the week's total to 148,500, including practice rounds.

"The popularity of golf is growing," said Bruce Fleisher, who finished second, three strokes behind champion Hale Irwin. "Getting near 150,000 is always a good number."