"Shame on you, Jack."

I was a bit busy during Masters week and never had a chance to go back to read Jack Nicklaus's press conference transcript that left many scribblers swooning over the performance. This, however, was not swoon-worthy, as John Huggan noted in his Masters winners and losers column.

Jack Nicklaus 0/10

It pains me to say this, it really does. Along with almost every Scottish-born golfer, this observer is one of Jack Nicklaus' biggest fans. Between us, we have elevated the Golden Bear to almost God-like status in the land where the game began. And he deserves every bit of our hero worship. Perhaps only the great Bobby Jones played golf with as much distinction and class, especially when not winning.

All of which makes it all the more shocking that, asked if he was planning to visit the Old Course for the four-hole 'Champions Challenge' on the eve of the Open this July, Nicklaus gave the following response: "It really revolves around the Royal Bank of Scotland. If they want me to come and do work, yes. Am I going to go on my own to play four holes of golf at St. Andrews? No."

In other words, this man, in whom we have all invested so much over the years, cannot be bothered to make even a brief un-sponsored visit in order to acknowledge the huge debt he owes his most ardent followers. That, apparently, is too much to ask. Shame on you, Jack.