At his peak during the 1970's Nicklaus won two Open Championship titles at St Andrews.

Jack Nicklaus has formally announced that the Open Championship at St Andrews in July is likely to be his last competitive tournament.

It will bring to a dignified end the career of the greatest golfer in history.

Nicklaus made his farewell to the Masters in April, and he last appeared in the Open back in 2000 at St Andrews.

The 'Golden Bear' managed a top ten in the Masters in 1998 but that was probably his last realistic chance of a good finish in a Major Championship, and since then his appearances have been largely ceremonial - a role which the great man always said he did not want to take on.

"I enjoy being part of history but I don't consider myself competitive any more and the Open will probably end my competitive career," he said.

Nicklaus turned professional in 1962 after a distinguished amateur career that included two US Amateur titles and a runner-up in the U.S. Open.

His powerful style and amazing clutch putting signalled a new way of playing the game. In his first season as a Pro, he promptly won the US Open in a playoff with Arnold Palmer, and never looked back.

Nicklaus played in a record 154 consecutive major championships for which he was eligible from 1957 U.S. Open to the 1998 U.S. Open, and won a record 18 major titles, including three Opens (two of them at St Andrews), six Masters, four US Opens and five USPGAs. He also won another 70 or so titles around the world.

The greatest final round ever? Nicklaus on his way to a 65 and his sixth Green Jacket, 1986.

There are too many great Nicklaus moments to list, but some of the highlights of his career have included his playoff win in the Open against Doug Sanders at StAndrews in 1970, his US Open win at Pebble Beach in 1971, and the 'Duel in the Sun' with Tom Watson at Turnberry in 197.

But perhaps the definitive Nicklaus performance was at the 1986 Masters, when a final round of 65 saw off Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman. in what many believe to be the greatest final day action in Major Championship history.

Tiger Woods, who now has 9 Major titles, is chasing Nicklaus' record, and is actually ahead, having gained those titles by the age of 28. By comparison, Nicklaus was 30 before he took his 9th major title. But whether Woods will have Jack's longevity remains to be seen.

Nicklaus was upbeat about his chances in the Open, at least in putting up a decent performance. "Hopefully when I get to St Andrews I will have some kind of game. It won't be great, but I hope not to embarrass myself. I will enjoy it. We will have a good time."

More about Jack Nicklaus on his official website.