Gary Player | Biography, Titles, & Facts - Britannica

Gary Player (born November 1, 1935, Johannesburg, South Africa) is a South African who was one of the world’s best professional golfers in the post-World War II era. He was the third man (after Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, both of the United States) to win the four major tournaments composing the modern golf Grand Slam.

A grand club

• Only six male golfers have won all four major tournaments (the U.S. Open, British Open, Masters Tournament, and PGA Championship) in their careers to complete the “Grand Slam.” They are:

• Gene Sarazen (1935)
• Ben Hogan (1953)
• Gary Player (1965)
• Jack Nicklaus (1966)
• Tiger Woods (2000)
• Rory McIlroy (2025)

In 1955 Player entered competition on the circuit of tournaments, and in 1961 he was the leading winner of prize money on the circuit. His international record, unsurpassed by any golfer, was a tribute to his remarkable fitness and love of competition. Player was an integral part of the popularization of golf in the 1960s, as his weekly competitions with fellow golf stars Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer showcased the sport being played at its highest level. His nine career wins at the major tournaments—the Open Championship (British Open; 1959, 1968, 1974), the Masters (1961, 1974, 1978), the PGA Championship (1962, 1972), and the U.S. Open (1965)—are the fourth highest total in golf history (tied with Hogan). He also won the South African Open 13 times, the Australian Open 7 times, and the World Series of Golf 3 times (1965, 1968, 1972).

Quick Facts In full: Gary Jim Player (Show more) Byname: the Black Knight (Show more) Born: November 1, 1935, Johannesburg, South Africa (age 90) (Show more) Awards And Honors: Presidential Medal of Freedom (2021) Masters Tournament (1978) Masters Tournament (1974) British Open (1974) PGA Championship (1972) British Open (1968) U.S. Open (1965) PGA Championship (1962) Masters Tournament (1961) British Open (1959) (Show more) See all related content

In addition to his professional golfing career, Player in the 1980s launched a successful career as a golf course designer. In 1985 he began competing on the Senior PGA Tour (later renamed the Champions Tour), and he retired from tournament golf in 2009. Three years later Player received a lifetime achievement award from the PGA. In 2021 he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Britannica Quiz Great Moments in Sports Quiz