Nicklaus and Watson

Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson were great rivals back in the day.

Now?

Good friends.

Nicklaus, 69, the "Golden Bear" who won a record 18 major titles between 1962 and 1986, was so intrigued by the action that he watched the entire last round from his Florida home.

"Jack told me: 'Watson, that's the first time I ever sat down and watched all 18 holes of any golf tournament, ANY golf tournament,' " a smiling Watson said.

Watson lost in a playoff at the British Open -- despite being 59 years old. If he had made a par on the 18th hole, he would have won, but he bogeyed the hole after missing an eight foot putt for par.