updated 12:25 a.m. ET April 5, 2005

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Jack Nicklaus will give the Masters at least one more shot.

The six-time Masters champion said Monday evening he would play for the 45th time, saying he wanted to fulfill a request by Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson “and a desire on my part.”

“I feel like I can play, so I’m going to play,” Nicklaus said at the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame’s Botanical Gardens, where he received a key to the city of Augusta.

Nicklaus said last month the chances were “between slim and none” that he would play in the Masters. He felt he needed to be with his family as they grieved over the drowning March 1 of his 17-month-old grandson.

The 72nd Masters Zach Johnson wins green jacket Surprise winner |   Discuss |   Images | Scores Opinion: 'Normal guy' slays Tiger | Up to 15 Religious champ blessed to win on Easter A hole on Tiger's resume | Dent to legend Tiger let off easy by media | Tracking Tiger For South Africans, second not so bad Amen! Augusta wakes up on back nine Notebook: Appleby positive despite fade Winners | Memorable moments

He cleared everything from his business schedule and spent the last few weeks playing golf with his son Steve, a therapeutic way to cope with the tragedy.

It was Steve Nicklaus’ son, Jake Walter, who drowned in a hot tub.

“I don’t have a lot of golf game, but I’ve played a lot of golf,” Nicklaus said. “I’m certainly not in any tournament shape. I don’t expect to be in any tournament shape.”

Nicklaus, who has dealt with back and hip problems, said his health was good. One of only two former champions who are members at Augusta National, Nicklaus said he played the course two weeks ago and shot 74.

He did not say whether this would be his last Masters.

Nicklaus won his first green jacket in 1963 and got his record sixth Masters title in 1986, shooting a 31 on the back nine to win at age 46. He last made the cut in 2000, when he tied for 54th.

MORE FROM GOLF

Golf Section Front

Tiger shares Aussie Masters lead Kim wins Kiwi Challenge in playoff Ishikawa 1 stroke back at Taiheiyo Masters Opinion: Lefty, rivals might regret tugging Tiger's tail Tour cards at stake in PGA finale at Disney Ochoa's player-of-year status on the line McIlroy joining the US PGA Tour next year   Montgomerie to lead Europe in 2010 Royal Trophy Ballesteros receives honorary membership at R&A Faldo receives knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II Golf Section Front   Add Golf headlines to your news reader: