The 85-year-old said their conversation began with him conveying a simple message: "Don't do dumb things." "Rory got away from his game plan on Sunday, and he got away with it," Nicklaus was quoted as saying to attendees of a charity event in Ohio, per Golf Digest.

Rory McIlroy burst onto the scene as a powerful dynamo. He finally won the career grand slam by evolving his game to navigate courses like a wily veteran.