Jack Nicklaus was reduced to tears as he was given honorary citizenship by the Royal Burgh of St Andrews.
Nicklaus follows in the footsteps of golf legend Bobby Jones who got the rare award in 1958. Nicklaus, 82, who won the Open twice on the Old Course in 1970 and 1978, accepted the award at a packed Younger Hall as he got emotional on Tuesday.
The recognition touched the 18-time major champion, who thought he had bade farewell to St Andrews at the 2005 Open when he retired from playing.
But he returned ahead of the 150th Open this week after being offered the prestigious citizenship of the town.
Nicklaus, who sat beside wife Barabara and had family present at the ceremony, fought back the tears as he said: "I remember back to 1966 when I won at Muirfield and I couldn't speak, I want to take a second to enjoy it.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful honour.
“I am now 82 years old and thank you for remembering and not forgetting me St Andrews."
The award adds to the honorary doctorate that the town’s university bestowed on Nicklaus in 1984 and an honorary membership from the R&A in 1990.
Golfers Jose Maria Olazabal, Catriona Matthew, Lee Trevino, Sir Bob Charles and Sandy Lyle also received honorary degrees in the ceremony on Tuesday at the University of St Andrews.
But Nicklaus was the star attraction as he collected the award made by the Deputy Provost on behalf of St Andrews who recognised not only his unsurpassed achievements but also the exemplary manner and spirit in which he played.
Former US Ryder Cup captain Nicklaus emulates compatriots Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, plus Jones.
Jones got the Freedom of the City of St Andrews, as it was previously known, after winning the US Open, (British) Open and British Amateur and the US Amateur in 1930 before retiring from tournament golf at age 28.
Nicklaus added: "Bobby Jones said: 'if I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews, I would still have had rich, full life'. I feel exactly the same."
After receiving the award, Nicklaus then departed for a tour around the town in an open top car as the public thronged the streets to fete him.
