Truth & Rumors: Romney calls Nicklaus the 'greatest athlete of the 20th century'
Just a week after a lobbying group called for an end to golf-based attacks on the campaign trail, the game is back on the electoral frontlines. Only this time, it's not golf itself in the crosshairs.
During his campaign tour of Ohio, Mitt Romney called in Buckeye legend Jack Nicklaus for a vote of confidence on Wednesday during an event at Westerville High School.
In a short stump speech, the Golden Bear sang the praises of Romney, according to a number of major news outlets. The respect is apparently mutual: Romney thanked Nicklaus by calling him "the greatest athlete of the 20th century," according to a Huffington Post report.
Though critics say that support from the golf community may do little to expand Romney's Republican base, the nominee has shown himself to be quite the golf fan in the past couple of days. On Tuesday, prior to meeting Nicklaus, Romney congratulated FedEx Cup champ Brandt Snedeker on his Twitter account:
Congrats to Brandt Snedeker on his win of the tour championship and FedEx Cup. He is a class act.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) September 26, 2012
For a guy who says he doesn't play, Romney clearly keeps up with the golf world. Maybe not as closely as the guy currently in the White House, but still: It's comforting that we have two candidates who know a good game when they see one.
Related Photos: Jack Nicklaus career in pictues | SI Covers
(Photo: Jay LaPrete / AP)
