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There are very special moments in the world of sports though most are unplanned. But the golf fans of the world were poised for a different form of moment, one just as special but one that is known as such right up front.

Without a doubt, a great deal was made of this being Jack Nicklaus' final appearance at the golf championship of all championships, the British Open. Many fans wished that the game's greatest player might somehow resurrect the past and manage to make the cut so the public could enjoy four rounds, but if couldn't, they were poised to watch the finale when it came.

It came to an end on Friday, during the second round. Even though Nicklaus played well enough to finish ahead of many golfers in the field, he could not make it into the top seventy golfers, the cutoff point so as to be able to play on the weekend.

However, in true British fashion, the game's greatest player had the send off and finish that made his last competitive round at the oldest of golf's championships a memorable one. Standing on the 18th tee, four over par and definitively over the cut line, the Golden Bear stepped into the box and began his farewell with a tee shot reminiscent of yesteryear, a drive that traveled more than three hundred yards, winding up just off the fringe of the 18th green.

As he walked up the fairway, the fans along the fairway rose in unison to begin what would be an absolutely incredible send off. Midway up the fairway, his playing partners, Tom Watson and Luke Donald, began to walk more slowly allowing the winner of 18 major championships the opportunity to walk ahead alone as he received the thunderous applause.

When he finally made it onto the famed Swilken Bridge, the rustic stone structure that crosses a small stream in the middle of the fairway, Nicklaus turned and waved to the adoring fans, poised for one of golf's most signature photo opportunities ever. Though camera were snapping from every direction, the gentleman that he is, Nicklaus soon waved his playing partners and their caddies to join him on the bridge, they too becoming a part of the legendary photo shoot.

When they stepped aside, they left the Golden Bear alone with his son, Steve, who had been given the opportunity to caddy for his father at this esteemed event. The only thing more meaningful to Nicklaus than golf is of course his family and the chance to stand on the bridge alone with his son only added to the special moment. Finally, after everyone had garnered their photographs, Nicklaus headed on up to the 18th green for his final hole.

Putting from the off the green with what appeared to be the same exact style of putter he had used to win his last Masters tournament back in 1986, Nicklaus then rolled his ball to the left and slightly above the hole. Though within about ten feet, Nicklaus had a testy, hard-breaking putt for his birdie.

Lining up, aiming almost three feet left of the hole, the game's greatest player finished his career at the World's most significant golf event in the manner than defined his greatness. He plowed the putt soundly into the hole, his birdie once again causing the fans to rise and roar in unison.

The entire moment, from the tee to walking off the green at 18 was one that will go down in golf history. And the gentleman long known as the Golden Bear, so willing to share his moment with others as he approached the green, stood all alone by finishing his final hole with yet another birdie under the scrutiny of the entire world.

It was an extraordinary farewell to an absolutely great golfer and even better man.