Jack Nicklaus wins the 39th Masters Tournament

in one of the most thrilling Masters ever, Jack Nicklaus fended off challenges from Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller to win a record fifth Green Jacket by one stroke. A 40-foot birdie putt at No. 16 proved to be the difference for Nicklaus.

After nine holes of the final round, Weiskopf and Nicklaus were tied for the lead with Miller two behind. The three players traded strokes throughout the back nine, before Nicklaus emerged with a one-stroke win, Miller and Weiskopf tied for second. And both runners-up made crucial mistakes along with birdies on that back nine, Miller missing a couple short putts, Weiskopf finding water on the 11th.

The dagger from Nicklaus, though, was a 40-foot birdie putt the he rolled across the green on the 16th hole, with Miller and Weiskopf watching from the 16th tee. It was a putt nobody expected Nicklaus to make; most observers thought he'd be lucky to get down with a par. Instead, Nicklaus birdied, the crowd erupted and Nicklaus got pretty excited himself.