Gary Player's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Gary Player.

Gary Player is a highly accomplished South African retired professional golfer, celebrated as one of the sport's all-time greats. He achieved a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major championships, becoming the first non-American to accomplish this feat. He secured nine major championships on the regular tour and nine on the Champions Tour. Player's career spanned over seven decades, during which he won more than 160 professional tournaments across six continents. His remarkable achievements led to his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1959: British Open Win at Muirfield

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

1961: First International Winner

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: Completed the Grand Slam

In 1965, Gary Player completed the 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 first non-American to achieve a career Grand Slam. At the time, he was the youngest to do so.

1966: Awarded the Bob Jones Award

In 1966, Gary Player was awarded the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association.

1968: Top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings

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

1969: Ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings

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

1970: Ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings

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

1972: Ranked second in Mark 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

Gary Player held the record for most victories in the World Match Play Championship with five wins, from 1973 until 1991.

1974: Two Major Championships in One Season

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

1974: Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

In 1974, Gary Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

1978: Masters Win

In 1978, Gary Player won the Masters Tournament, coming from seven strokes behind to win with a final round of 64.

1981: End of Top Ten Ranking

In 1981, Gary Player's run in the top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings ended.

1991: World Match Play Championship record

In 1991, Seve Ballesteros equaled Gary Player's record for most victories in the World Match Play Championship, with five wins.

1998: Oldest Golfer to Make the Cut at Masters

In 1998, at the Masters, Gary Player became the oldest golfer to ever make the cut, breaking Sam Snead's 25-year-old record, crediting his diet, health, practice and golf fitness.

2000: "Sportsman of the Century" in South Africa

In 2000, Gary Player was voted "Sportsman of the Century" in South Africa.

2000: Ranked eighth greatest golfer of all time

In 2000, Golf Digest magazine ranked Gary Player as the eighth greatest golfer of all time.

2002: Ranked Second Greatest Global Golfer

In 2002, Gary Player was voted as the second greatest global golfer of all time by a panel of international media, golf magazines, and fellow professionals conducted by Golf Asia Magazine.