Nicklaus, left, and Palmer
Nicklaus was the chubby kid from Ohio who had never won a professional tournament in 17 starts. Palmer was golf's first movie star, the King, winner of five majors. And the '62 Open was being played in his backyard, at Oakmont Country Club, a short putt from his hometown of Latrobe, Pa. Arnie's Army stormed Oakmont, and when Nicklaus threatened Palmer's throne, they taunted him with shouts of "Fat Jack." Nicklaus was unfazed. He charged back from five strokes down in the final round to force a playoff with Palmer. On the first playoff hole, Nicklaus outdrove Palmer by 30 yards; he never trailed all day, winning his first of 18 majors. The game's greatest rivalry was born. "Now that the big guy is out of the cage," Palmer said, "everybody better run for cover."