Nine major championships, a career Grand Slam as early as 1965, and the oldest player to make the cut at the Masters at age 62: Gary Player, a pioneer in physical fitness, shares his secrets to his swing and training regimen.
Gary Player is one of the greatest champions in golf history: nine major championships, a career Grand Slam as early as 1965, and an extraordinary longevity. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, the secrets of his game, and summaries of his video lessons.
Who is Gary Player?
Gary Player is a South African golfer who was born on November 1, 1935, in Johannesburg. He turned pro in 1953, at the age of 17, and quickly became the first major international champion from the Southern Hemisphere. With Jack Nicklaus Together with Arnold Palmer, he formed the “Big Three” that dominated and popularized golf in the 1960s and 1970s.
He is nicknamed “The Black Knight,” as well as “Mr. Fitness” and “the international ambassador of golf”: Described as the world’s most well-traveled athlete, he has flown more than 15 million miles to play on every continent at a time when a single trip could take 40 hours. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Captain of the International Team at the Presidents Cup in 2003, 2005, and 2007, he is also a golf course architect, with more than 400 course designs worldwide, including the Golf de Mogador in Essaouira, Morocco. Since 2012, he has performed the ceremonial shot off the tee at the Masters each year alongside Jack Nicklaus; he did so again in April 2026, with Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
Gary Player's List of Achievements
Gary Player has nine major victories, spanning three decades, from 1959 to 1978. By winning the 1965 U.S. Open, he became the first non-American player to achieve the career Grand Slam at age 29. Only six players in history have done so, including Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
| Year | Major Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Open Championship (Muirfield) | 284 (-4), 2 strokes ahead, at age 23 |
| 1961 | Masters | 280 (-8), 1 stroke ahead: first non-American winner at Augusta |
| 1962 | PGA Championship | 278 (-2), 1 stroke ahead |
| 1965 | US Open | 18-hole playoff victory over Kel Nagle: Career Grand Slam |
| 1968 | Open Championship | 289 (+1), 2 strokes ahead |
| 1972 | PGA Championship | 281 (+1), 2 strokes ahead |
| 1974 | Masters | 278 (-10), 2 strokes ahead |
| 1974 | Open Championship | 282 (-2), 4 strokes ahead |
| 1978 | Masters | 277 (-11), 1 stroke ahead, at age 42 |
In addition to these nine majors, he has 24 PGA Tour victories (he was the first player to win the silver trophy in 1961), nine senior majors, five World Match Play titles, and more than 150 professional victories worldwide. He competed in 52 Masters tournaments, and in 1998, at age 62, he became the oldest player to make the cut at Augusta.
Gary Player's Game: Hard Work, Physical Fitness, and Mental Strength
A pioneer in physical conditioning
As early as 1953, Gary Player was lifting weights—at a time when almost no one else on the tour was doing so. He added push-ups, sets of sit-ups, and a strict lifestyle: a balanced diet, sleep, and alternating cold and hot showers. He himself attributed his making the cut at the 1998 Masters to his health, his training, and his physical fitness. What was once considered an eccentricity has become the norm among professionals. If you want to have a long career, the section Special for Seniors is along the same lines.
Practicing at the driving range and in the bunker
Gary Player describes himself as a workaholic, convinced that he has hit more balls than anyone else. He recounts sinking three consecutive bunker shots in front of a spectator in Texas who remarked that he was lucky; his response—“The more I practice, the luckier I get”—has become famous (though he originally credited it to Jerry Barber). For him, this rule is best illustrated in the sand: his first Masters victory, in 1961, was decided by a bunker shot followed by a successful putt on the 18th hole. Put this into practice with our lessons from Bunker shot and Range Practice.
The Body as the Driving Force Behind the Swing
In his clinics, Gary Player emphasizes the hips and core, which drive the swing, while the hands simply follow. This is the heart of Excellent! Gary Player in fine form at the Mogador Golf Club, a public clinic where he also impersonates Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus. At the start of the backswing, the left arm stays close to the chest while the clubhead moves straight back: this is A Lesson from Gary Player: Stay Connected!. Finally, Sean Foley brings up one of his ideas for starting the downswing: think about moving to the right side rather than going to the left (Gary Player's Tip, Illustrated by Sean Foley).
A competitive mindset
Every morning, he would meditate and go over the challenges of the day, convinced that adversity is always part of life and that one must be prepared for it. His victory at the 1959 Open, despite a double bogey on the final hole, speaks volumes about his mental strength. To learn more: Psychology and Mental Game.
Gary Player's Lessons on Best Golf Tips
- Rotation and Swing (Body Rotation, Swing and Swing Plane): Excellent! Gary Player in fine form at the Mogador Golf Club, Gary Player's Tip, Illustrated by Sean Foley.
- Backswing (Backswing): A Lesson from Gary Player: Stay Connected!.
See also the fact sheets on Jack Nicklaus, his partner in the “Big Three,” from Tom Watson, with whom he will start the Masters, and Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who are also Grand Slam champions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Player: Career Highlights, Grand Slam, Physical Training, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is Gary Player?
Gary Player was born on November 1, 1935, in Johannesburg, South Africa; he is 91 years old.
How many majors has Gary Player won?
Nine: three Masters (1961, 1974, 1978), three Open Championships (1959, 1968, 1974), two PGA Championships (1962, 1972), and one U.S. Open (1965). He also has nine senior majors to his credit.
Did Gary Player achieve the Grand Slam?
Yes, by winning the 1965 U.S. Open at age 29. He was the first non-American player to do so, and one of only six in history, along with Sarazen, Hogan, Nicklaus, Woods, and McIlroy.
How many wins does Gary Player have on the PGA Tour?
24 victories on the PGA Tour, in addition to numerous titles in South Africa, Europe, Australia, and on the senior tour.
Why is Gary Player nicknamed the Black Knight?
“The Black Knight” gets his name from his black outfits, which have become his trademark. He is also known as “Mr. Fitness” and “the international ambassador of golf.”.
Does Gary Player still hit the opening tee shot at the Masters?
Yes. He has served as the honorary starter since 2012, and he once again kicked off the Masters in April 2026, alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
What is the Big Three?
The nickname given to Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player, who dominated and popularized golf in the 1960s and 1970s.
