Controversy has clouded legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus' final US Open challenge following his

Nicklaus was given a special exemption (as has been the case for the past six years) to allow him to compete in Sunday's final round of the prestigious tournament by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

As well as Nicklaus, other golfers Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Curtis Strange have all been given free entries to the first US Open of the new millennium.

Frank Hannigan, former USGA executive director, has accused the USGA of going for "nostalgia, weepy sentimentality and cheap popularity over fairness".

In his defence, Nicklaus said: "I think the USGA has been more than fair with me. They've been very kind in giving me exemptions beyond what should have been given to me."

"But this year is a pretty good year for my swan song. If I can earn my way in again, fine, but I don't expect to be given another exemption from the USGA, not that I'd turn it down."