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Gary Player

Updated: Wikipedia source

Gary Player

Gary James Player (born 1 November 1935) is a South African retired professional golfer who is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. Player won over 160 professional tournaments across six continents, including nine major championships. Following victories at the 1959 Open Championship, 1961 Masters Tournament and 1962 PGA Championship, Player won the 1965 U . Open to become the first non-American to win the career grand slam. He was the third golfer to win the modern career grand slam, and only three more players have achieved the feat since. Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Nicknamed "the Black Knight", "Mr Fitness", and "the International Ambassador of Golf", Player has been prolific as a golf course architect with more than 400 design projects throughout the world. He has also authored or co-written 36 books on golf instruction, design, philosophy, motivation and fitness. In 2021, Player was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States president Donald Trump.

Infobox

Full name
Gary James Player
Nickname
The Black Knight, Mr Fitness
Born
(1935-11-01) 1 November 1935 Johannesburg, Union of South Africa
Height
5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight
150 lb (68 kg; 11 st)
Sporting nationality
South Africa
Residence
Jupiter Island, Florida, U . Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Spouse
Vivienne Verwey (m. 1957; died 2021)
Children
6
Turned professional
1953
Former tours
PGA Tour Southern Africa Tour Champions Tour
Professional wins
159
PGA Tour
24
European Tour
4
Sunshine Tour
20
PGA Tour of Australasia
2
PGA Tour Champions
22 (Tied-7th all-time)
European Senior Tour
3
Other
63 (regular) 6 (senior)
Masters Tournament
Won: 1961, 1974, 1978
PGA Championship
Won: 1962, 1972
U.S. Open
Won: 1965
The Open Championship
Won: 1959, 1968, 1974
World Golf Hall of Fame
1974 (member page)
PGA Tour money list winner
1961
Southern Africa Tour Order of Merit winner
1976–77, 1979–80
PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award
2012
Presidential Medal of Freedom
2021

Tables

· Professional wins (159) › PGA Tour wins (24)
Major championships (9)
Major championships (9)
Legend
Major championships (9)
Other PGA Tour (15)
Other PGA Tour (15)
Legend
Other PGA Tour (15)
Legend
Major championships (9)
Other PGA Tour (15)
· Professional wins (159) › PGA Tour wins (24)
Kentucky Derby Open
Kentucky Derby Open
No.
1
Date
20 Apr 1958
Tournament
Kentucky Derby Open
Winning score
−14 (68-68-69-69=274)
Margin of victory
3 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Chick Harbert, Ernie Vossler
The Open Championship
The Open Championship
No.
2
Date
3 Jul 1959
Tournament
The Open Championship
Winning score
−4 (75-71-70-68=284)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Fred Bullock, Flory Van Donck
Lucky International Open
Lucky International Open
No.
3
Date
29 Jan 1961
Tournament
Lucky International Open
Winning score
−12 (70-69-68-65=272)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
George Bayer, Don Whitt
Sunshine Open Invitational
Sunshine Open Invitational
No.
4
Date
26 Mar 1961
Tournament
Sunshine Open Invitational
Winning score
−15 (69-68-67-69=273)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Arnold Palmer
Masters Tournament
Masters Tournament
No.
5
Date
10 Apr 1961
Tournament
Masters Tournament
Winning score
−8 (69-68-69-74=280)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Charles Coe, Arnold Palmer
PGA Championship
PGA Championship
No.
6
Date
22 Jul 1962
Tournament
PGA Championship
Winning score
−2 (72-67-69-70=278)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Bob Goalby
San Diego Open Invitational
San Diego Open Invitational
No.
7
Date
13 Jan 1963
Tournament
San Diego Open Invitational
Winning score
−14 (65-65-70-70=270)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Tony Lema
Pensacola Open Invitational
Pensacola Open Invitational
No.
8
Date
9 Mar 1964
Tournament
Pensacola Open Invitational
Winning score
−14 (71-68-66-69=274)
Margin of victory
Playoff
Runner(s)-up
Miller Barber, Arnold Palmer
500 Festival Open Invitation
500 Festival Open Invitation
No.
9
Date
31 May 1964
Tournament
500 Festival Open Invitation
Winning score
−11 (70-66-70-67=273)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Doug Sanders, Art Wall Jr.
U . Open
U . Open
No.
10
Date
21 Jun 1965
Tournament
U . Open
Winning score
+2 (70-70-71-71=282)
Margin of victory
Playoff
Runner(s)-up
Kel Nagle
The Open Championship (2)
The Open Championship (2)
No.
11
Date
13 Jul 1968
Tournament
The Open Championship (2)
Winning score
+1 (74-71-71-73=289)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Bob Charles, Jack Nicklaus
Tournament of Champions
Tournament of Champions
No.
12
Date
20 Apr 1969
Tournament
Tournament of Champions
Winning score
−4 (69-74-69-72=284)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Lee Trevino
Greater Greensboro Open
Greater Greensboro Open
No.
13
Date
5 Apr 1970
Tournament
Greater Greensboro Open
Winning score
−13 (70-63-73-65=271)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Miller Barber
Greater Jacksonville Open
Greater Jacksonville Open
No.
14
Date
21 Mar 1971
Tournament
Greater Jacksonville Open
Winning score
−7 (70-70-72-69=281)
Margin of victory
Playoff
Runner(s)-up
Hal Underwood
National Airlines Open Invitational
National Airlines Open Invitational
No.
15
Date
28 Mar 1971
Tournament
National Airlines Open Invitational
Winning score
−14 (69-67-70-68=274)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Lee Trevino
Greater New Orleans Open
Greater New Orleans Open
No.
16
Date
26 Mar 1972
Tournament
Greater New Orleans Open
Winning score
−9 (73-69-68-69=279)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Dave Eichelberger, Jack Nicklaus
PGA Championship (2)
PGA Championship (2)
No.
17
Date
6 Aug 1972
Tournament
PGA Championship (2)
Winning score
+1 (71-71-67-72=281)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Tommy Aaron, Jim Jamieson
Southern Open
Southern Open
No.
18
Date
9 Sep 1973
Tournament
Southern Open
Winning score
−10 (69-65-67-69=270)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Forrest Fezler
Masters Tournament (2)
Masters Tournament (2)
No.
19
Date
14 Apr 1974
Tournament
Masters Tournament (2)
Winning score
−10 (71-71-66-70=278)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Dave Stockton, Tom Weiskopf
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
No.
20
Date
26 May 1974
Tournament
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
Winning score
−15 (65-72-69-67=273)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Lou Graham, Hubert Green
The Open Championship (3)
The Open Championship (3)
No.
21
Date
13 Jul 1974
Tournament
The Open Championship (3)
Winning score
−2 (69-68-75-70=282)
Margin of victory
4 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Peter Oosterhuis
Masters Tournament (3)
Masters Tournament (3)
No.
22
Date
9 Apr 1978
Tournament
Masters Tournament (3)
Winning score
−11 (72-72-69-64=277)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Rod Funseth, Hubert Green, Tom Watson
MONY Tournament of Champions (2)
MONY Tournament of Champions (2)
No.
23
Date
16 Apr 1978
Tournament
MONY Tournament of Champions (2)
Winning score
−7 (70-68-76-67=281)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Andy North, Lee Trevino
Houston Open
Houston Open
No.
24
Date
23 Apr 1978
Tournament
Houston Open
Winning score
−18 (64-67-70-69=270)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Andy Bean
No.
Date
Tournament
Winning score
Margin of victory
Runner(s)-up
1
20 Apr 1958
Kentucky Derby Open
−14 (68-68-69-69=274)
3 strokes
Chick Harbert, Ernie Vossler
2
3 Jul 1959
The Open Championship
−4 (75-71-70-68=284)
2 strokes
Fred Bullock, Flory Van Donck
3
29 Jan 1961
Lucky International Open
−12 (70-69-68-65=272)
2 strokes
George Bayer, Don Whitt
4
26 Mar 1961
Sunshine Open Invitational
−15 (69-68-67-69=273)
1 stroke
Arnold Palmer
5
10 Apr 1961
Masters Tournament
−8 (69-68-69-74=280)
1 stroke
Charles Coe, Arnold Palmer
6
22 Jul 1962
PGA Championship
−2 (72-67-69-70=278)
1 stroke
Bob Goalby
7
13 Jan 1963
San Diego Open Invitational
−14 (65-65-70-70=270)
1 stroke
Tony Lema
8
9 Mar 1964
Pensacola Open Invitational
−14 (71-68-66-69=274)
Playoff
Miller Barber, Arnold Palmer
9
31 May 1964
500 Festival Open Invitation
−11 (70-66-70-67=273)
1 stroke
Doug Sanders, Art Wall Jr.
10
21 Jun 1965
U . Open
+2 (70-70-71-71=282)
Playoff
Kel Nagle
11
13 Jul 1968
The Open Championship (2)
+1 (74-71-71-73=289)
2 strokes
Bob Charles, Jack Nicklaus
12
20 Apr 1969
Tournament of Champions
−4 (69-74-69-72=284)
2 strokes
Lee Trevino
13
5 Apr 1970
Greater Greensboro Open
−13 (70-63-73-65=271)
2 strokes
Miller Barber
14
21 Mar 1971
Greater Jacksonville Open
−7 (70-70-72-69=281)
Playoff
Hal Underwood
15
28 Mar 1971
National Airlines Open Invitational
−14 (69-67-70-68=274)
2 strokes
Lee Trevino
16
26 Mar 1972
Greater New Orleans Open
−9 (73-69-68-69=279)
1 stroke
Dave Eichelberger, Jack Nicklaus
17
6 Aug 1972
PGA Championship (2)
+1 (71-71-67-72=281)
2 strokes
Tommy Aaron, Jim Jamieson
18
9 Sep 1973
Southern Open
−10 (69-65-67-69=270)
1 stroke
Forrest Fezler
19
14 Apr 1974
Masters Tournament (2)
−10 (71-71-66-70=278)
2 strokes
Dave Stockton, Tom Weiskopf
20
26 May 1974
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
−15 (65-72-69-67=273)
2 strokes
Lou Graham, Hubert Green
21
13 Jul 1974
The Open Championship (3)
−2 (69-68-75-70=282)
4 strokes
Peter Oosterhuis
22
9 Apr 1978
Masters Tournament (3)
−11 (72-72-69-64=277)
1 stroke
Rod Funseth, Hubert Green, Tom Watson
23
16 Apr 1978
MONY Tournament of Champions (2)
−7 (70-68-76-67=281)
2 strokes
Andy North, Lee Trevino
24
23 Apr 1978
Houston Open
−18 (64-67-70-69=270)
1 stroke
Andy Bean
· Professional wins (159) › PGA Tour wins (24)
Dallas Open Invitational
Dallas Open Invitational
No.
1
Year
1958
Tournament
Dallas Open Invitational
Opponent(s)
Julius Boros, John McMullin, Sam Snead
Result
Snead won with birdie on first extra hole
Memphis Open
Memphis Open
No.
2
Year
1959
Tournament
Memphis Open
Opponent(s)
Al Balding, Don Whitt
Result
Whitt won with par on second extra hole Balding eliminated by birdie on first hole
American Golf Classic
American Golf Classic
No.
3
Year
1961
Tournament
American Golf Classic
Opponent(s)
Jay Hebert
Result
Lost to birdie on second extra hole
Masters Tournament
Masters Tournament
No.
4
Year
1962
Tournament
Masters Tournament
Opponent(s)
Dow Finsterwald, Arnold Palmer
Result
Palmer won 18-hole playoff; Palmer: −4 (68), Player: −1 (71), Finsterwald: +5 (77)
Memphis Open Invitational
Memphis Open Invitational
No.
5
Year
1962
Tournament
Memphis Open Invitational
Opponent(s)
Lionel Hebert, Gene Littler
Result
Hebert won with birdie on first extra hole
Palm Springs Golf Classic
Palm Springs Golf Classic
No.
6
Year
1963
Tournament
Palm Springs Golf Classic
Opponent(s)
Jack Nicklaus
Result
Lost 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus: −7 (65), Player: +1 (73)
Pensacola Open Invitational
Pensacola Open Invitational
No.
7
Year
1964
Tournament
Pensacola Open Invitational
Opponent(s)
Miller Barber, Arnold Palmer
Result
Won 18-hole playoff; Player: −1 (71), Palmer: E (72), Barber: +2 (74)
U . Open
U . Open
No.
8
Year
1965
Tournament
U . Open
Opponent(s)
Kel Nagle
Result
Won 18-hole playoff; Player: +1 (71), Nagle: +4 (74)
Oklahoma City Open Invitational
Oklahoma City Open Invitational
No.
9
Year
1967
Tournament
Oklahoma City Open Invitational
Opponent(s)
Miller Barber
Result
Lost to birdie on third extra hole
Azalea Open Invitational
Azalea Open Invitational
No.
10
Year
1968
Tournament
Azalea Open Invitational
Opponent(s)
Steve Reid
Result
Lost to birdie on second extra hole
Greater Jacksonville Open
Greater Jacksonville Open
No.
11
Year
1971
Tournament
Greater Jacksonville Open
Opponent(s)
Hal Underwood
Result
Won with par on second extra hole
Kemper Open
Kemper Open
No.
12
Year
1971
Tournament
Kemper Open
Opponent(s)
Dale Douglass, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf
Result
Weiskopf won with birdie on first extra hole
MONY Tournament of Champions
MONY Tournament of Champions
No.
13
Year
1975
Tournament
MONY Tournament of Champions
Opponent(s)
Al Geiberger
Result
Lost to birdie on first extra hole
No.
Year
Tournament
Opponent(s)
Result
1
1958
Dallas Open Invitational
Julius Boros, John McMullin, Sam Snead
Snead won with birdie on first extra hole
2
1959
Memphis Open
Al Balding, Don Whitt
Whitt won with par on second extra hole Balding eliminated by birdie on first hole
3
1961
American Golf Classic
Jay Hebert
Lost to birdie on second extra hole
4
1962
Masters Tournament
Dow Finsterwald, Arnold Palmer
Palmer won 18-hole playoff; Palmer: −4 (68), Player: −1 (71), Finsterwald: +5 (77)
5
1962
Memphis Open Invitational
Lionel Hebert, Gene Littler
Hebert won with birdie on first extra hole
6
1963
Palm Springs Golf Classic
Jack Nicklaus
Lost 18-hole playoff; Nicklaus: −7 (65), Player: +1 (73)
7
1964
Pensacola Open Invitational
Miller Barber, Arnold Palmer
Won 18-hole playoff; Player: −1 (71), Palmer: E (72), Barber: +2 (74)
8
1965
U . Open
Kel Nagle
Won 18-hole playoff; Player: +1 (71), Nagle: +4 (74)
9
1967
Oklahoma City Open Invitational
Miller Barber
Lost to birdie on third extra hole
10
1968
Azalea Open Invitational
Steve Reid
Lost to birdie on second extra hole
11
1971
Greater Jacksonville Open
Hal Underwood
Won with par on second extra hole
12
1971
Kemper Open
Dale Douglass, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf
Weiskopf won with birdie on first extra hole
13
1975
MONY Tournament of Champions
Al Geiberger
Lost to birdie on first extra hole
· Professional wins (159) › European Tour wins (4)
Major championships (4)
Major championships (4)
Legend
Major championships (4)
Other European Tour (0)
Other European Tour (0)
Legend
Other European Tour (0)
Legend
Major championships (4)
Other European Tour (0)
· Professional wins (159) › European Tour wins (4)
PGA Championship
PGA Championship
No.
1
Date
6 Aug 1972
Tournament
PGA Championship
Winning score
+1 (71-71-67-72=281)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Tommy Aaron, Jim Jamieson
Masters Tournament
Masters Tournament
No.
2
Date
14 Apr 1974
Tournament
Masters Tournament
Winning score
−10 (71-71-66-70=278)
Margin of victory
2 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Dave Stockton, Tom Weiskopf
The Open Championship
The Open Championship
No.
3
Date
13 Jul 1974
Tournament
The Open Championship
Winning score
−2 (69-68-75-70=282)
Margin of victory
4 strokes
Runner(s)-up
Peter Oosterhuis
Masters Tournament (2)
Masters Tournament (2)
No.
4
Date
9 Apr 1978
Tournament
Masters Tournament (2)
Winning score
−11 (72-72-69-64=277)
Margin of victory
1 stroke
Runner(s)-up
Rod Funseth, Hubert Green, Tom Watson
No.
Date
Tournament
Winning score
Margin of victory
Runner(s)-up
1
6 Aug 1972
PGA Championship
+1 (71-71-67-72=281)
2 strokes
Tommy Aaron, Jim Jamieson
2
14 Apr 1974
Masters Tournament
−10 (71-71-66-70=278)
2 strokes
Dave Stockton, Tom Weiskopf
3
13 Jul 1974
The Open Championship
−2 (69-68-75-70=282)
4 strokes
Peter Oosterhuis
4
9 Apr 1978
Masters Tournament (2)
−11 (72-72-69-64=277)
1 stroke
Rod Funseth, Hubert Green, Tom Watson

References

  1. Not a European Tour event at the time, but retrospectively counted as an official win.
  2. Shortened to 36/54 holes due to weather.
  3. "15 Greatest Golfers of All Time"
    https://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/10-greatest-golfers-all-time
  4. "Gary Player PGA Tour Profile"
    https://www.pgatour.com/players/player.01955.gary-player.html
  5. "Player, Gary"
    http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/gary-player/
  6. thegolfnewsnet
    https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2018/11/21/pga-tour-champions-recognizes-gary-players-senior-british-open-wins-major-titles-111522/
  7. www
    https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/player_gary.html
  8. Chicago Tribune
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-celeb-travel-with-gary-player-20131001,0,5347613.story
  9. "PGA Tour Media Guide – Gary Player"
    http://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/player/01955/gary-player/bio
  10. BBC News
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/6904576.stm
  11. SAPeople - Your Worldwide South African Community
    https://www.sapeople.com/2018/01/23/gary-player-winner-golf-course-love/
  12. The South African
    https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/golf/rip-gary-player-wife-dies-breaking-vivienne-player/
  13. Fortune
  14. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/29287618/golfer-gary-player-gets-5-million-legal-dispute-son-marc
    https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/29287618/golfer-gary-player-gets-5-million-legal-dispute-son-marc
  15. The Palm Beach Post
    https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2025/10/28/gary-player-turning-90-hall-of-fame-golfer/86711542007/
  16. "About Ian Player"
    http://ianplayer.com/
  17. Jacaranda FM
    https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/sport/been-seen-and-conquered---gary-player-at-81/
  18. "Golf: Gary Player"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20051202121737/http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/sports/greats/player.htm
  19. "Golf: Gary Player"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20051202121737/http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/sports/greats/player.htm
  20. "1959 Gary Player"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131016164928/http://www.theopen.com/en/History/OpenChampions.aspx
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