The championship medal for the US Open has been named and redesigned in honour of 18-time major tournament winner Jack Nicklaus. The gold Jack Nicklaus Medal features a silhouette of the four-time US Open champion and replaces the unnamed medal presented since the first edition of the tournament in 1895. “These are honours that truly challenge you to put words with, because of how humbling and meaningful they are,” Nicklaus said. “I have always considered the US Open the most important major championship to me. “It&aposs something that I&aposll obviously always treasure the memory. When somebody comes to me and says, &aposHey, I won the Jack Nicklaus Medal&apos, I&aposll say, &aposThat&aposs great&apos.” Along with the medal, the US Golf Association also announced plans to expand the Jack Nicklaus Room at the USGA museum in Far Hills, New Jersey. Nicklaus, widely regarded as the most accomplished professional golfer of all time, clinched his first professional major title at the US Open in 1962. He won the event again in 1967, 1972 and 1980.The 2012 US Open will be played at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, beginning on Thursday. Meanwhile, Spanish golfer Alvaro Quiros will be on a high when competition gets underway after hitting a remarkable hole-in-one on the 288-yard par 4 seventh hole. “I knew I hit the ball well, but thought that we would find it in the middle of the green,” said Quiros. “Then when I saw everyone in the stands jump to their feet and scream, I figured it must have hit the pin and be close. ” When they all remained on their feet and continued to cheer as we walked towards the green, I realised that something special had happened.”