Player, Gary (1935-…), became one of the greatest golfers of the mid-1900’s. Player won nine major tournaments and was one of the few golfers in the modern history of the sport to win all four majors at least once. Player won the British Open in 1959, 1968, and 1974; the Masters Tournament in 1961, 1974, and 1978; the United States PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Championship in 1962 and 1972; and the United States Open in 1965.
Gary Jim Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Nov. 1, 1935. He became a professional golfer in 1953 and won his first tournament, in South Africa, in 1955. Player joined the PGA in 1957 and quickly became a leading player on the American tour. Player won tournaments throughout the world, including Australia, Brazil, Egypt, and Japan. After he reached the age of 50, he became a star of the PGA Senior golf tour, winning about 20 Senior tournaments. In 2021, Player received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor awarded by the president of the United States.
