Jack Nicklaus tees up Ohio voters for Romney

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus added some star power to Mitt Romney's campaign today, encouraging Ohio voters to elect the Republican as a way to restore America's greatness.

The Golden Bear, winner of 18 major championships, was on hand as Romney's bus tour crisscrossed the crucial swing state. No Republican has ever won the presidency without carrying Ohio.

Nicklaus, one of Ohio's favorite sons, told the audience in Westerville that when he travels the world, people "want us to be like the America we were." Nicklaus said Romney would bring "a real recovery" to the American economy and restore America's standing around the globe.

"This campaign isn't about what's best for me," Nicklaus said, telling the crowd that Romney and running mate Paul Ryan would say "yes, we will" to help the next generation.

A protester briefly interrupted Romney's remarks, but the crowd drowned that person out with chants of "USA! USA!"

President Obama leads Romney by an average of about 5 percentage points in Ohio, according to seven recent statewide polls compiled by RealClearPolitics.