Widely regarded as golf’s greatest, Jack Nicklaus has defined success in the sport with more than 18 major championship wins in his career spanning more than 25 years.

The Ohio native may look back at 1973 as a year laden with fond memories and broken records. After all, it was in August when Nicklaus accomplished a historic landmark achievement with his 12th professional major, surpassing Bobby Jones’ career major record with 14 wins. His stellar form continued as he went on to triumph in six more tournaments.

The Golden Bear continue to impress, picking up his third PGA Player of the Year award. Nicklaus had already won over $300,000 in official money for a single season in 1972 but eventually exceeded the $2 million career PGA Tour earnings mark in the following year, the first player to accomplish this feat.

The American ended the year after 20 official worldwide event tournaments, including seven victories, 14 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s as well as compiling a 4–1–1 record in that year’s Ryder Cup competition.

More memorable moments on this day:

1985: The Medway Bears beat the Richmond Raiders 48-1, a record score in the British Ice Hockey League.

1991: France’s Davis Cup team beat their American counterparts 3-1 to win the final in Lyon, lifting the cup for the first time since 1932.

1999: Darlington allowed FA Cup wild card entry into third round after Manchester United withdraw to play in World Club Championships.

2012: England record sensational 38-21 Twickenham victory over world champions New Zealand, who suffer first defeat in 21 matches.