Jack Nicklaus pays tribute to his 'great friend', Roberto De Vicenzo

Jack Nicklaus has led the tributes to former Open champion Roberto De Vicenzo after his death was announced on Thursday.

Nicklaus was defending champion at The Open in 1967 at Royal Liverpool, but he was denied an eighth major title as De Vicenzo edged a tense battle down the stretch to claim a two-shot victory.

The Argentine's famous win made him the first South American to win a major championship, and he came agonisingly close to adding a second at The Masters the following year when he thought he was heading for a play-off against Bob Goalby.

But De Vicenzo had inadvertently signed for a score one shot higher than he had actually made, prompting him to say: "What a stupid I am" - a quote that has gone down in Augusta folklore.

Nicklaus revealed that De Vicenzo still talked about the incident more than 40 years on, and he went on to pay tribute to his long-time friend during the opening round of The Memorial, where De Vicenzo was the tournament honouree in 1986.

"Roberto was not only a great golfer, he was a great friend," said Memorial host Nicklaus. "I was last with him in Argentina about three or four years ago, and he still talked about what happened at the '68 Masters.

"He was a nice man, a nice player and the only time we played against each other down the stretch was at the 1967 Open and I ended up losing at Hoylake. He birdied 17 and I didn't, and he won by a couple of shots.

"He was a strong, good player and I think he was an instinctive player. He played with a lot of feel. Roberto represented his country, he presented the game of golf, and he was one of the really good guys."

Gary Player also tweeted: "Roberto Di Vincenzo, a true gentleman whose influence popularized golf not only at home but around world too. Descansa en Paz mi amigo. RIP."

Two-time major winner and fellow Argentine, Angel Cabrera, added: "A great sadness of Roberto de Vicenzo! No doubt Argentina and the golf today are mourning! Thank you for both master!"