Jack Nicklaus will play in the Masters for the 43rd time, convinced by two practice rounds at Augusta National that he feels good enough and hits the ball long enough to compete. <br>
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Nicklaus, a six-time Masters champion, played a practice round Sunday with his three oldest sons and played again Friday with his youngest son and Arnold Palmer. <br>
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The 63-year-old Nicklaus, 63, did not say what he shot in either round, and that it didn't matter. <br>
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He skipped the Masters last year because of lower back problems. Nicklaus is on a new diet that has left him trim and fit. The only thing left to decide was whether he could handle a course that is 7,290 yards 305 yards longer than he last played in the Masters. <br>
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During practice rounds last year, he hit eight fairway metals into the par 4s. <br>
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Nicklaus says even with a new tee on the fifth hole that added 20 yards, he managed to reach that green with a 6-iron. <br>
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Palmer, who played in his last Masters a year ago, persuaded Nicklaus to play in the Bay Hill Invitational last week. Nicklaus had rounds of 82-76 to miss the cut. <br>
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Most have believed Nicklaus would return to Augusta National, the course he dominated over three decades. <br>
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This year is the 40-year anniversary of his first green jacket, which Palmer slipped over his shoulders. Nicklaus also won in 1965, 1966, 1975 and 1986, when he was 46. <br>
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Nicklaus last contended at Augusta National in 1998 when, despite a degenerative left hip, he made a Sunday charge and tied for sixth to become the oldest player to finish in the top 10 at the Masters. <br>
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Nicklaus has said he would consider the top 10 a good goal if he played well. <br>
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Since turning 50, Nicklaus has made the cut nine of the eleven times he has played the Masters.
