Gary Player

The South African 'Black Knight' who became the first non-American to win the career grand slam and logged more than 26 million km in air travel.

Gary Player 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.S. Open to become the first non-American to win the career grand slam. He was the second golfer to win the modern career grand slam, and only two 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.

Quick Facts

Full name

Gary James Player

Nickname

The Black Knight; Mr Fitness

Born

1 November 1935

Birthplace

Johannesburg, Union of South Africa

Height

5 ft 6 in / 1.68 m

Weight

150 lb / 68 kg

Nationality

ZAF, 1994 South Africa

Residence

Jupiter Island
Florida
U.S.; Plettenberg Bay
South Africa

Lore & Background

Player's dedication to fitness set him apart in an era when few golfers prioritized physical conditioning. He credited his ability to make the cut at the 1998 Masters at age 62—though he did not break Sam Snead's record (Snead made the cut at age 67 in 1979)—to his commitment to diet, health, practice and golf fitness. In July 2013, at age 73, Player became the oldest athlete ever to pose nude in ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue to inspire people to keep looking after themselves throughout their lives whatever their age. Player has logged more than 26 million km (16 million mi) in air travel; in 2005 it was estimated that he had 'probably flown further … than any athlete in history'. He has more victories than anyone else in the South African Open (13) and is tied with Jack Nicklaus for the most wins in the Australian Open (7).

Reader's Guide

Player is one of only six players to win golf's 'career Grand Slam'—along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. He completed the Grand Slam in 1965 at age 29, at the time the youngest to do so, though Nicklaus (26) and Woods (24) later broke that record. Player competed regularly on the U.S. based PGA Tour from the late 1950s, led the Tour money list in 1961, and accumulated 24 career Tour titles. He was in the top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings from 1968 until 1981, ranked second in 1969, 1970 and 1972, each time to Jack Nicklaus. Player was non-playing captain of the International Team for the Presidents Cup in 2003 and 2005. In 2000, Player was voted 'Sportsman of the Century' in South Africa.

Did You Know?

Player was one of only two players in the 20th century to win the British Open in three different decades, alongside Harry Vardon.
In 2021, Player was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States president Donald Trump.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gary Player?

Gary Player is a legendary South African professional golfer known as 'The Black Knight' for his relentless fitness and competitive spirit. He retired after winning over 160 tournaments worldwide, establishing himself as one of the sport's all-time greats.

How did Gary Player's career conclude?

After decades of dominance that included 24 wins on the PGA Tour, Player retired as one of the most decorated athletes in golf history. He was subsequently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame to honor his immense contributions to the game.

What is Gary Player known for besides winning majors?

Player is famous for traveling over 26 million kilometers by air during his career to compete on six different continents. This dedication earned him a reputation as a true global ambassador for golf who never shied away from international competition.