Gary Player turns 91 on 1 November 2026, and he is still part of the furniture at Augusta. In April he stood on the first tee as an honorary starter at the 2026 Masters alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, a role he has filled since 2012. Few sporting careers stretch that far, and fewer still have been lived with such energy.
The South African they called the Black Knight won nine majors, completed the career Grand Slam before he turned 30 and carried golf to six continents. Browse our golf collection for more legends of the game.
Gary Player Fact File
| Full name | Gary James Player |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 November 1935 (age 90) |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Sport | Professional golf |
| Nationality | South African |
| Status | Retired from tournament golf (2009); Masters honorary starter |
| Turned pro | 1953, aged 17 |
| Nicknames | The Black Knight, Mr Fitness |
Career History
| Tour | Wins | Majors |
|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 24 | 9 |
| Sunshine Tour (South Africa) | 20 | – |
| European Tour | 4 | – |
| PGA Tour Champions (from 1985) | 22 | 9 senior majors (incl. Senior British Opens) |
| European Senior Tour | 3 | – |
Wins are official tour victories as listed by Wikipedia; in all, Player is credited with around 160 professional titles worldwide. Senior majors include three Senior British Opens, recognised as majors retrospectively in 2018.
Early Years in Johannesburg
Gary was the youngest of three children born to Harry and Muriel Player in Johannesburg. He spent most of his teenage years on the golf course, and was reportedly told by respected professionals that his swing was not good enough. He ignored them and turned professional at just 17 in 1953, determined to outwork everyone.
Celebrate the Black Knight with our Gary Player Golf Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The Breakthrough: Muirfield and Augusta
His first major came at the 1959 Open at Muirfield. Two years later, at the 1961 Masters, he became the first international champion at Augusta. A PGA Championship followed at Aronimink in 1962.
Then came Bellerive in 1965. By winning the US Open in St Louis, aged 29, Player completed the career Grand Slam: only the third man to do so after Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, and the first non-American. Pull on our Gary Player Golf Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt and remember the day he joined golf's most exclusive club.
Peak Years and the Big Three
With Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Player formed golf's Big Three. He won the Open again at Carnoustie in 1968, the PGA at Oakland Hills in 1972, and in 1974 captured two majors in one season: the Masters and the Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
His finest final round came at the 1978 Masters. Seven shots back on Sunday, he shot 64 to win by a single stroke. That made nine majors, level with Ben Hogan for fourth on the all-time list. Our Gary Player Men's Hoodie is a cosy tribute to that run.
Later Career and Legacy
Player finished second at the 1984 PGA Championship aged 48, and joined the senior tour in 1985, where he added nine senior majors. He made a record 52nd and final Masters appearance in 2009. He entered the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2021.
Honours
Major championships (9)
- The Open: 1959, 1968, 1974
- Masters: 1961, 1974, 1978
- PGA Championship: 1962, 1972
- US Open: 1965
Senior majors (9)
- Senior PGA Championship: 1986, 1988, 1990
- US Senior Open: 1987, 1988
- Senior Tournament Players Championship: 1987
- Senior British Open: 1988, 1990, 1997
Other honours
- Career Grand Slam (1965)
- World Golf Hall of Fame (1974)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2021)
Away From the Course
Player has worked on more than 400 golf course design projects worldwide and written dozens of books on golf, fitness and life. The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation supports education in South Africa, and he married Vivienne in 1957; they had six children.
FAQs
How old is Gary Player?
Gary Player was born on 1 November 1935, so he is 90 years old and turns 91 on 1 November 2026.
Where was Gary Player born?
He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
How tall is Gary Player?
Gary Player stands about 1.68 m, or 5 ft 6 in.
How many majors did Gary Player win?
Nine: three Masters, three Opens, two PGA Championships and one US Open. He also won nine senior majors.
What was Gary Player's greatest comeback?
The 1978 Masters, when he started the final round seven shots behind and shot 64 to win his third green jacket by one stroke.
Shop the Gary Player Collection
Made to order in the UK, these designs celebrate one of golf's great globetrotters.
Gary Player Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Find more fairway legends in our golf collection, or put your own name on a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Jack Nicklaus Career Story and Arnold Palmer Career Story.
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