Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gary Player

How Gary Player built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Gary Player is a South African retired professional golfer, considered one of the greatest ever. He achieved a career Grand Slam by age 29, becoming the only non-American at the time to win all four majors. He won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine on the Champions Tour. Player has won over 160 professional tournaments across six continents over seven decades. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1957: First Masters appearance

In 1957 Gary Player first participated in the Masters.

1959: British Open Win at Muirfield

In 1959, at age 23, Gary Player won the British Open at Muirfield after double-bogeying the last hole.

1961: First International Winner of Masters

In 1961, Gary Player became the first international winner of the Masters Tournament.

1961: Led PGA Tour money list

In 1961, Gary Player led the U.S. based PGA Tour money list.

1965: Completion of Career Grand Slam

In 1965, Gary Player completed the Career Grand Slam at the age of twenty-nine.

1965: U.S. Open win and Career Grand Slam

In 1965, at the age of 29, Gary Player won the U.S. Open, becoming the only non-American to win all four majors in a career, achieving the Career Grand Slam. He was the youngest to achieve this feat at the time.

1968: Inception of McCormack's world golf rankings

From the inception of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings in 1968 until 1981, Gary Player was consistently in the top ten.

1969: Ranked second in McCormack's world golf rankings

In 1969, Gary Player was ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings.

1970: Ranked second in McCormack's world golf rankings

In 1970, Gary Player was ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings.

1972: Ranked second in McCormack's world golf rankings

In 1972, Gary Player was ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings.

1973: World Match Play Championship Win

In 1973, Gary Player held the record for most victories in the World Match Play Championship, with five wins.

1974: Won two major championships in the same season

In 1974, Gary Player became one of the few golfers in history to win two major championships in the same season.

1978: Last Masters Win

In 1978, Gary Player won the Masters, overcoming a seven-stroke deficit in the final round with a back nine of 30.

1979: Lexington PGA Championship Shortened

In 1979, the Lexington PGA Championship was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

1981: End of Top Ten Ranking

In 1981, Gary Player's streak of being in the top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings ended, a streak that began in 1968.

1983: Establishment of Blair Atholl Schools

In 1983, The Player Foundation established the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, providing educational facilities for over 500 students.

1983: Establishment of The Player Foundation

In 1983, The Player Foundation was established by Marc Player.

1984: Second Place at PGA Championship

In 1984, at the age of 48, Gary Player finished in second place at the PGA Championship.

1989: GTE North Classic Shortened

In 1989, the GTE North Classic was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

1998: Oldest Golfer to Make the Cut at the Masters

In 1998, at the Masters, Gary Player, at the age of 48, became the oldest golfer to make the cut, breaking a 25-year-old record.

2000: Player hosted Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament

From 2000, Gary Player hosted the Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament staged by Black Knight International.

2002: Golf Course Design in Burma

In 2002, Gary Player designed a golf course in Burma, which later led to controversy.

2003: Captain of International Team for Presidents Cup

In 2003, Gary Player was the non-playing captain of the International Team for the Presidents Cup, held on a course he designed.

2003: Senior Open Championship Recognition

In 2003, the Senior Open Championship became a Champions Tour major, though Gary Player had already won the event three times on the European Seniors Tour.

2005: Reappointed as Captain for Presidents Cup

In 2005, Gary Player was reappointed as captain for the Presidents Cup; his team lost to the Americans.

2007: Captain again for Presidents Cup

In 2007, Gary Player was appointed to captain the International Team again for the Presidents Cup, where the United States won.

April 2009: Last appearance in the Masters

On April 10, 2009, Gary Player played for the last time in the Masters, marking his record 52nd appearance.

July 2009: Competed in Senior British Open Championship

At age 73, on July 23 2009, Gary Player competed in the Senior British Open Championship at Sunningdale Golf Club.

December 2011: Gary Player Design selected as finalist

In early December 2011, Gary Player Design was selected among the finalists of an official RFP for the 2016 Summer Olympics golf course in Rio de Janeiro.