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By Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent

MONTREAL, Canada -- As he finished his speech during the closing ceremonies Sunday night at the Presidents Cup, Jack Nicklaus couldn't keep his voice from cracking, not surprising from a "sentimental old fool," which he readily admits he is. He was reveling in another American victory and another Hallmark moment, and, well, maybe it's the last time he'll ever bask in such a glow.

Maybe.

Playing for Jack Nicklaus has become a treasured perk for Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods and their U.S. teammates. (Condon/PGA TOUR/WireImage)

"I've been fortunate to captain several Presidents Cup teams," he said haltingly. "They've all been great weeks, but none better than this."

At least until the next one.

Maybe.

America wrapped up its fifth Presidents Cup in seven tries Sunday at Royal Montreal Golf Club, posting a convincing 19 1/2 to 14 1/2 decision over Gary Player's talented but trumped International Team. The U.S. dozen got to wrap their arms around the gold trophy, but it almost seems like that's not the goal but rather the end product of a week rapping with the Golden Bear.

Without question, Nicklaus, 67, has been an asset to America's fortunes in the four times he has led the United States in this biennial event. But he has come to represent more than a leader. Quite frankly, he's a perk. Playing for the Golden Bear has become such a treasured privilege that he has become part of the rewards package that goes with qualifying for the team.

Actually, he's more like the headliner.

"He certainly is for me," said Scott Verplank, who has played solely for Nicklaus in his three Presidents Cup appearances. "He was my idol growing up. I still have his autograph from when I was a kid that reads, 'To Scott,' and all that. I couldn't draw it up any better than playing for Jack Nicklaus."

Who could? Think about it. A two-year exemption is awarded to Presidents Cup members. Very nice. But most players who qualify probably don't need the exemption. Representing your country is a special honor, to be sure. But the prospect of playing for the Golden Bear ... now there's a prize.

Winner of 18 major titles and 73 PGA TOUR victories, the last coming at the 1986 Masters, Nicklaus is far enough removed from the day-to-day gyrations of professional golf since his retirement in 2005 that an audience with him is something to be cherished.

"To say you played for Jack Nicklaus ... they can't take that away from you," Stewart Cink said. "He says something to you, and you listen. It's special. And you find yourself thinking you'll do anything to win for him because of what he means."

Tiger Woods was put on the spot, being asked if the Presidents Cup would lose something if Jack were not the captain. "We've had some great years together since '98," said Woods, who went 3-2 this year and is 13-11-1 overall. "I've always loved playing for Jack, and, hopefully, he'll come back. South Africa was supposed to be his bow-out and here we are, and, hopefully, we'll get one more.

"It's always great to see him, great to have him around," Woods added. "He's the greatest player of all time, and to have him as your captain, it doesn't get any better than that."

Nicklaus was almost certain that 2005 should be his last go-around. This year, when asked about potential future calls, he's less emphatic about closing the door.

"If they think that they need me, and I think I can help them, then, sure, I'm going to be there," Nicklaus said. "Do I still feel like it's somebody else's turn? Sure I do. But would I say no if they came to me again? Of course not. Because that would mean that they want me around, and that turning them down would be sort of a slap in the face."

David Toms, who led the American Team with 4 1/2 points, supports the theory that Nicklaus is something akin to a 13th man, which makes the U.S. squad hard to beat against what appears to be, on paper, a formidable -- or even superior -- opponent.

"He does, I think, make a difference," Toms said. "It's always a special week with him. More than anything, he's just fun to be around. We always have fun with him."

The question is how many more times will Nicklaus agree to do it. The answer is open ended. He'll return if he's needed. And, if the request should come, he'll return because he needs this a little bit, too, now that he no longer plays competitive golf.

"He's loved every minute of it," said Barbara Nicklaus, Jack's wife of 47 years. "He likes keeping up with the guys, socializing with them, getting to know the younger players. He's an active part of the golf world, and that is important to him. He's really thrived on it."

Yes, he has, and he won't deny it. Nicklaus has five children and 20 grandchildren and he revels in his family life. But the golf community is his extended family, and he is a grandfather to a game that is better with him in it in capacities beyond his host role at the Memorial Tournament in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

And he's better for it, too, which is why he gets so sentimental about it.

"I just feel that you have some special moments in your life, and this happens to be one of them," he said Sunday night with his team seated around him. "I know as you get older, your years get shorter (and) you may not have those opportunities again. It may be the last time that I do it. And if that's the case, that's fine.

"That's a pretty good way to bow out. But the reaction that I get from these guys and the support that I've gotten from them -- not only the support that I've tried to give them, but the support they have given me -- is just something that you don't have very many times in a lifetime."