A Legendary Moment at Muirfield Village
Golf icon Jack Nicklaus delivered one of the most heartwarming surprises in Memorial Tournament history as he honored his wife Barbara with a deeply personal gesture during her Honoree Ceremony in Dublin, Ohio.
“I Married an Angel” – Sung by the Golden Bear
In front of a crowd of over 1,000 guests, a video was played featuring Nicklaus in a recording studio, donning headphones and singing “I Married an Angel,” a classic ballad recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1960—the same year Jack and Barbara tied the knot. The song choice was both nostalgic and meaningful.
Watch the Video Tribute Below:
Family, Legacy, and Laughter
The idea came from their son, Jack Nicklaus II, who emceed the ceremony. “You didn’t know I was a singer, did you?” Jack joked on stage, revealing that it took seven takes to get it just right. The final version was a compilation of his best attempts.
A Life Built on Love and Music
Jack shared that throughout his golfing career, he often played with songs in his head—such as “Jamaica Farewell” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”—to stay calm under pressure. But this was the first time he ever sang out loud in public.
The Nicklaus Legacy Grows Stronger
With five children, 23 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren all present, the ceremony was a powerful tribute not just to Barbara Nicklaus’s contributions to golf and family, but also to the enduring love she shares with Jack—a bond now immortalized in song.