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Augusta anniversaries: 30 years since Jack Nickalus' 18th major win

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Jack Nicklaus became the oldest man to win the Masters in 1986

The world's elite are at Augusta this week in search of Masters victory, with this year's tournament marking the 30th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus' landmark 18th major title.

A gripping final round saw the lead exchanged numerous times between five players, but Nicklaus prevailed with a back-nine 30 to snatch a sixth Masters title.

The 46-year-old found himself six strokes adrift of early pacesetter Seve Ballesteros after eight holes on the final day, only to surge back in to contention with a hat-trick of gains around the turn.

Jack Nicklaus of the United States chips out of the sand bunker on 10th April 1986 during the US Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club
Image: Nicklaus' win was his 18th and final major title

Nicklaus then bounced back from a blemish at 12 to birdie the next and card an eagle-three at 15 to move within one of the lead, before a sensational five-iron to inside three feet at 16 set up another birdie.

He then rolled in one of the most famous putts in Masters history at 17, prompting the iconic image of him holding aloft his putter as the ball hit the bottom of the cup, and a par at 18 earned the clubhouse lead.

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Greg Norman followed birdies at 14, 15 and 16 with his fourth straight gain at 17 after a remarkable approach to eight feet from the pines, but he blocked his second to the last and missed a 15-foot par putt which gifted victory to the Golden Bear. 

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