Their decades-long rivalry propelled each to the status of American icon and helped transform a gentleman's game into a major American sport with a dedicated following. Sportswriter Ian O'Connor explores the heated professional and personal battle between Palmer and Nicklaus in intimate and revelatory detail. Drawing on unique access to both players, and having conducted more than 200 new interviews with everyone from family to fellow players to business associates, right down to the caddies and clubhouse attendants, O'Connor illuminates their extreme differences and sprawling influences through mini-dramas such as the 1962 U.S. Open. By the end of this narrative, we see that in the end each wanted what the other had: Arnold had the adoring fans but wanted the trophies. Jack had the trophies but wanted the love. We also learn that, despite being bitter rivals, they were also dear friends.--From publisher description.

Originally published: Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2008.